We need radical action if we’re going to hit the target of building 88,000 homes a year, more powers for the Mayor and improvements to productivity to get London out of the cycle of spending cuts and tax rises, says John Dickie

In less than a week, the Chancellor will fire the starting gun on a series of announcements that will define the Government’s growth mission.

The spending review will swiftly be followed by a 10-year infrastructure strategy and broader industrial strategy as ministers look to prove they are willing to take the tough choices needed to kickstart the economy.

The Office for Budget Responsibility forecasts UK growth will be just one per cent this year before rising to the heady heights of 1.8 per cent by the end of this parliament in 2029.

So improving productivity to accelerate growth must be the key objective if the Government is to deliver sustainable improvements to public services – rather than a vicious cycle of spending cuts, tax rises or both.

As highlighted at BusinessLDN’s recent Future London conference, a key priority to get the capital firing on all cylinders is investing efficiently across three areas: housing, infrastructure and people.

The Government has set London the target of building 88,000........

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