London Assembly: Uncertainty over Government policies damaging London

The London Assembly has recognised constant uncertainty on Government policy is having a damaging impact on London, its economy and its investment prospects.  Uncertainty on tax policy and family finances is also impacting on Londoners already worrying about the cost of living.

The Assembly notes 18 U-turns on government policies in 20 months and has today called on the Mayor to raise concerns with his counterparts in Government, so that Londoners can have certainty on decisions affecting their everyday lives.

Susan Hall AM, who proposed the motion, said:

"I am pleased the Assembly has supported my motion recognising the many numerous u-turns that the Government has successfully completed - it is important to go beyond partisanship in order to recognise the records which Governments set.

“But we must also recognise the damage these u-turns are having on London by leaving businesses, voters, and authorities uncertain about how to plan ahead." 

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly wishes to further congratulate the Government on its impressive commitment to policy flexibility, as demonstrated by its notable string of U-turns since coming into office.

This Assembly notes these 18 U-turns in the space of just 20 months, including:

• axing the introducing of digital ID;
• removing business rates relief for pubs;
• introducing the family farms tax;
• lifting the two-child benefit cap;
• income tax hikes;
• national insurance hikes;
• abandoning welfare savings;
• axing winter fuel payments;
• employment rights;
• compensation for WASPI women;
• a national inquiry into grooming gangs;
• the proscription of the IRGC;
• comments surrounding the 'Island of Strangers';
• a ban on social media for under-16s;
• the publishing of vetting related to Peter Mandelson's appointment as the US ambassador;
• reversing the cancellation of local elections (costing the taxpayer at least £64 million);
• pausing the Chagos 'Surrender Bill'

This Assembly recognises, however, that this constant uncertainty on Government policy is having a damaging impact on London, its economy and its investment prospects, and uncertainty on tax policy and family finances is having a damaging impact on Londoners already worrying about the cost of living.

This Assembly, therefore, calls on the Mayor to raise these concerns with his counterparts in Government, so that Londoners can have certainty on decisions affecting their everyday lives.

Since the tabling of this motion, this Assembly notes that the Government have made a further 18^th U-turn on the increase to the youth minimum wage following further damage to jobs, adding to the growing list of policy reversals outlined above.”

Notes to editors: 

1. The Motion was agreed by 11 votes for and 9 against.