Mayor of London, , said -
“For many Londoners this has been the most difficult year in
living memory, and for parts of our economy COVID has had a
devastating impact on businesses and livelihoods. The latest
figures in London show the largest increase in unemployment in at
least 30 years and the Chancellor’s forecasts today make for grim
reading.
“The Government talk about “levelling up” but they continue to
ignore the true scale of the economic challenges we face in the
capital. Making Londoners poorer is not the way to help other
parts of the country. London’s success is integral to our
country’s - but there was nothing in today’s statement to help
London in any meaningful way.
“Right now, businesses across our hospitality sector in London
are on a financial knife edge facing more restrictions over
winter but without the grants and Government support they need to
stay afloat. The same applies to our retail, leisure and culture
sectors which, before the pandemic, were contributing hugely to
our economy.
“It also remains a scandal that 3 million people across the UK
are still receiving absolutely no Government help at all –
including around 200,000 self-employed people in the capital.
“At the same time, the Government seems intent on ushering in a
new era of austerity in London that will choke off our economic
recovery at a time when businesses are facing huge uncertainty
with the end of the Brexit transition period in just over a
month.
“Through no fault of their own COVID has left councils in London,
who are on the frontline in this pandemic, facing a net funding
shortfall of £1.1 billion this year – the Government need to stay
true to their word and provide the funding councils need urgently
to keep delivering the vital local services we all rely upon.
“To get our economy going again over the coming weeks it will
also be crucial that the Government now work with businesses and
boroughs to rapidly roll out mass testing and vaccination
programmes within the working-age population.
“If the Government continues with its approach of starving the
capital of investment it will do nothing more than hamper our
recovery from COVID – both in London and across the UK. It is
vital that London is now able to get its fair share of funding
both from the Shared Prosperity Fund, and the new Levelling Up
Fund announced today.
“This Government should learn from mistakes of the last decade -
austerity and choking off growth to pay down debt doesn’t work
and damages lives.”
