Ken Livingstone yesterday laid out a somewhat detailed economic policy in which he explained how he would challenge Boris Johnson’s administration, and the issues his campaign would highlight.

He said he was “setting out an alternative approach to protect Londoners”, calling the policy: Defending London’s Living Standards and Economy from the Tories.

On London’s economy the document points out:

* London’s unemployment rate (9.3%) is above the national average (7.9%). The economic inactivity rate in London is 23.7%, which is the worst inactivity rate in the whole of England;

* The need for greater engagement with major economies including India, China and Brazil and the damage caused by Tory government cuts on falling levels of public and private investment in London;

* The mounting cost to Londoners of Boris Johnson’s inaction on issues such as pollution and his vanity projects including the fantasy Thames airport and new bus (over £500 million).

His campaign made several pledges:

1. Holding down bus fares, following a rise in the cost of a single bus fare by a third under Boris Johnson – delivering the lowest possible fares is the biggest contribution that the Mayor can make to protecting Londoners living standards against the effects of the recession;

2. Making the Living Wage a condition of procurement, employment and services within the GLA group and ODA and using every lever to convince London employers to implement the Living Wage;

3. Building a new consensus across London for new infrastructure projects to improve the quality of life in London and create new jobs;

4. Opposing Tory-Lib Dem plans to privatise the Royal Mail and cut housing benefit which threatens thousands of Londoners.

5. Lobbying for a fair taxation system, rejecting Tory calls to lower the top rate of tax to 40%.

He said he was calling for a shift in priorities “from defending bankers’ bonuses” to “defending Londoners from cuts and investing in new jobs”.

I believe it is essential that the Mayor uses every lever to convince London employers to implement the Living Wage and make the Living Wage a condition of procurement, employment and services.

Whilst Boris awards pay hikes to his staff and regards his £250,000 a year salary from the Telegraph as ‘chickenfeed’ millions of Londoners are struggling to make ends meet and need a Mayor who will fight for them.

You can read the Economic Policy from here.

Reader comments

1. Liberal Conspiracy

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2. John Halton

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3. Ken Livingstone Team

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9. Cat Smith

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