The Mayor of London has condemned the Government for delivering “the most anti-London budget in a generation” on Wednesday (November 22).
Hitting out at Chancellor Philip Hammond for his “contempt for Londoners”, Sadiq Khan warned that “hammering London will not encourage growth elsewhere in the UK”.
Ahead of the Budget, the Mayor said now is a critical point for securing London's future prosperity – at a time of “chaotic Brexit negotiations” and the “current uncertainty” felt across London.
However, he claimed Philip Hammond “totally failed” to take the chance to reaffirm his commitment to London through a major programme of investment.
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Sadiq Khan said the Budget fails to deliver measures the capital “desperately needs” to fix the housing crisis, keep Londoners safe, tackle toxic air pollution and invest in infrastructure.
On top of that, he condemned the Budget for failing to mention counter-terrorism, policing and security in a year when London has been victim to four terrorist attacks and crime is on the rise.
The Mayor of London said: “This is the most anti-London Budget in a generation, from a Government that has shown contempt for Londoners.
“Londoners know that I have put aside party politics over the past 18 months and worked hard to get a good deal for the capital from the Government – but today they have thrown that work back in our face."
He added: “The Government refused to back Metropolitan Police – and the Chancellor didn't even mention terrorism.
“It is sadly now inevitable that police officer numbers will continue to fall – potentially to as few as 27,500 by 2021 – and we are left with no choice but to scrap London's strategic target for 32,000 police officers that has been in place since 2012.”
The biggest failing in the Budget on Wednesday (November 22) is housing, according to the Mayor, who said the Budget's "measures will not even paper over the cracks”.
'All talk and no action'
No extra money was provided for affordable housing in London and there was also no commitment that councils will be the powers to build more in their boroughs.
“The Government is all talk and no action on housing,” the Mayor added.
“The measures announced to clean up our polluted air are also totally inadequate – and no action to introduce a desperately needed diesel scrappage fund."
He continued: “The Government today committed just £220 million for a national pot to improve air quality, while the capital alone requires £515 million just for a vehicle scrappage fund.
“It is a kick in the teeth of Londoners who deserve the right to breathe clean air and are encouraged by the Government to buy more polluting vehicles.”
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