Stop London bashing! Labour will deliver jobs and growth in the capital and across the whole UK

I am proud to be a London MP, and of the contribution our great city makes to our country and to the world.

It’s disappointing that in some quarters London-bashing has become popular again; people who want to talk down our city for their own political agendas — or play vigilante for likes on social media.

But the simple truth is a strong and prosperous London brings mutual benefits to our economy as whole.

For too long, our country has missed opportunities to unlock growth and the full potential of our people and places.

Since the global crash in 2008, productivity has flatlined. Stagnation has taken hold — hurting not just London’s prospects but the prosperity of every community across the UK.

Regional divides were allowed to deepen, potential wasted, and growth squandered.

Under the Tories, the promise of “levelling up” proved nothing more than a desperate gimmick — more hanging baskets than a genuine effort to tackle regional inequality.

So it is welcome that we have a Labour government determined to change that with a relentless focus on tackling regional inequality by delivering good jobs, putting more money in people’s pockets, and giving local communities real power over the decisions that affect them in all parts of the country.

The Green Book review and the commitment to place-based growth are important steps forward — because every community deserves a fair chance to thrive.

But we should also be clear that tackling regional inequality must never mean holding back our greatest national economic asset. That has never been a strategy for success.

London is one of the most successful cities in the world — a gateway for global talent, investment and trade — and an economic engine that drives prosperity far beyond the M25.

But to unlock London’s full potential, we must be clear-eyed about what more needs to be done.

First, we must ensure London remains a magnet for global talent — attracting the skills we need to lead the industries of the future, from green tech to life sciences to creative industries.

Second, we must deliver the homes the Capital needs — social and genuinely affordable homes, that support strong, thriving communities, and provide the foundation for growth.
Third, we must build a transport system fit for a world-leading city — one that unlocks growth, powers London’s economy, and connects people to the opportunities.

Let me start with talent.


The recent immigration White Paper offered some welcome signs – recognising that the global race for talent is accelerating.


Britain must compete in that race.


Yes, we want a controlled immigration system, and the government is right to prioritise that. But we must not let that become a barrier to attracting the people who will drive our future growth.


Too many businesses in Kensington and Bayswater tell me they are struggling to hire the people they need. We need urgent reform of how we attract talent. That starts with the Global Talent Visa.

Last year, fewer than 4,000 of these visas were issued. We should be aiming for at least 10,000 a year – sending a clear message that Britain and London is open for business and open for talent.


We need a credible new investor visa, not a return to the failed “pay to play” schemes of the past and the Golden Visa fiasco, but a genuine pathway for entrepreneurs in high-growth sectors like biotech and clean energy.


The West London Tech Corridor is ready for exponential growth – but it needs capital, talent and leadership.


And world-leading institutions like Imperial College London rely on international talent to stay globally competitive.


The proposed UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme is an important step forward, and I know businesses welcome it, including hospitality, where we know cost pressures have been acute – and we should build on it.


If we want Britain to lead in the industries of the future, we must be a country that welcomes talent.


Second, we must tackle London’s housing crisis.

It is a huge relief that we now finally have a government that recognises the true scale of this challenge — and is prepared to put serious investment and policy heft behind it.

In my constituency alone, there are 3,000 families on the social housing waiting list and more than 2,000 people living in temporary accommodation.

The housing crisis is not a victimless problem – I see the consequences every day.

And it is those families — their hopes, their futures — that I think of when we talk about these numbers.

There are no quick fixes, and we should be honest about that. But there is finally a plan, and the political will to deliver it.

London has a crucial role in delivering the government’s target delivering 1.5 million homes in this Parliament. So I support the government’s ambitious planning reforms and I welcome the government announcement in the SR last month for the biggest investment in social and genuinely affordable homes for a generation.

The £39 billion — including £11.7bn for London — for the Affordable Homes Programme, the 10-year rent deal, and the new low-interest loans will make a real difference.

I was especially pleased to see something I’ve been calling for: equal access to the Building Safety Fund for housing associations.

The legacy of Grenfell must be that everyone, no matter where they live, can access a safe and healthy home and we should reject the false choice between building the homes we need and building safety.

London must see faster progress on cladding remediation for our high rises — so that every resident can feel secure in their own home.

London must have homes for everyone including the key workers – the police officers, nurses, teachers – who keep this city running.

Finally, we must transform London’s transport system.

Housing and transport go hand in hand — both are fundamental to delivering growth. Without modern, reliable public transport, we can’t unlock the new homes London needs, and we can’t drive the business growth that will power our city’s future.

For too long, the Tories held TfL back with short-term, inadequate funding — stopping it from planning for the future. A long-term funding deal gives TfL the sustainable investment and certainty it needs to move vital projects forward.

It means new trains on the Piccadilly Line, the DLR and I hope the Bakerloo Line, new signalling on 40% of the Tube, and a new tram fleet.

And it’s not just London that benefits.

TfL’s supply chain stretches across the the UK, contributing £11 billion to the UK economy last year and supporting 100,000 high-quality jobs across the country.

But we must go further.

New investment in London’s transport infrastructure is desperately to progress other vital projects, such as the West London Orbital and the Bakerloo Line extension.

By delivering on these areas, we can deliver a prosperous London that will help to drive and support growth in every corner of the UK.