Scrap stamp duty and council tax to fix London housing crisis, thinktank says

We must expand housing supply in London. But we also have a crisis of distribution. Floorspace per person has risen by 30% since 2004. But this has accrued to affluent owner-occupiers. We must: 🏠 Reform property taxes 📈 Fund more social housing 📦 Ensure existing stock meets need shorturl.at/eOiIa

“By every metric that matters, the housing crisis is at its worst.” In the @theguardian.com, @robanderson17.bsky.social sets out why London’s housing system isn’t working. Our latest research lays out how a proportional property tax could change that ⏬ www.theguardian.com/business/202...

"Embedding a health-led placemaking lens is a dynamic and exciting evolution of what BIDs were set up to be." @robanderson17.bsky.social shares his thoughts on how BIDs can maximise their health-led placemaking initiatives, in partnership with @teamlondonbridge.bsky.social:

🌇New Research> A Healthy Placemaking Approach for London Bridge Where we live, work & spend time impacts our health. How can BIDs strategically contribute to creating healthier, happier local spaces? Read our report with @teamlondonbridge.bsky.social now: centreforlondon.org/publication/...

Devolution in London; more questions than answers in govt plans, London Assembly hears. My OnLondon report feat. Janice Morphet Patrick Diamond @qmpoliticsir.bsky.social @robanderson17.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social Hamida Ali @futuregovforum.bsky.social 1/3 www.onlondon.co.uk/government-d...

"We must resist both this temptation and another one: the assumption that London will simply ‘look after itself’." 25 years on from the GLA, @robanderson17.bsky.social writes on London's devolution deal in a blog for @londonfunders.bsky.social. Read now: londonfunders.org.uk/latest/news/...

👋 Good morning from The London Housing Summit 2025! London’s housing crisis is escalating. The issues are acute & foundational. The solutions need to be immediate & long-term. Follow us, as we consider the tricky trade-offs & policy changes needed to turn the tide. #LDNHousing

Good to join the panel on short-term lets at the @centreforlondon.bsky.social housing summit. There are now 117k properties let short-term in London, including 43k breaching the legal 90 nights a year limit. I welcome the new report by Central London Forward which calls for licensing.

📢Panel announcement – Decelerating the Housing Crisis Tens of thousands are homeless. Housebuilding is faltering. Local councils are on the brink of bankruptcy. The crisis is acute. Actions must be immediate. Our panel will unpack what must be done now: centreforlondon.org/conference/t...

One day until our London Housing Summit! And we're thrilled @semakaleng.bsky.social will be joining us for a keynote. She'll share insights into London’s housing targets & unpack the London Assembly’s role in ensuring the capital delivers the new homes needed. centreforlondon.org/conference/t...

"We need to re-invest in our arts, to safeguard London’s continued cultural success and ensure that more Londoners can benefit from the city’s world-class offer." @robanderson17.bsky.social sharing his insight into the importance of providing new revenue streams to London's arts and culture.

Pressure grows on Government to allow @sadiqkhanlondon.bsky.social to charge a London tourist tax, as @centreforlondon.bsky.social says revenues from visitors’ hotel stays could help safeguard arts and culture across the capital www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...

London’s creative industries make our city the best in the world. That’s why I’m investing £10m to support fashion, design, film and gaming—boosting jobs and adding £2.5bn to our economy. This is how we help London thrive and grow as a world-class creative capital.

Today, the chancellor gave her Spring Forecast. Welfare, defence and planning received top billing – all with the aim of kickstarting the UK’s new era of equitable growth. Our Research Director, @robanderson17.bsky.social comments on the implications for housing below:

Today, TFL have announced their new Taxi & Private Hire Action Plan. Key points include: 📄 Reform of the Knowledge 💳 Lobbying government to continue the Plug-In Taxi Grant 📊 Sharing data from licenced taxis with TFL All of which appear in our latest report: centreforlondon.org/publication/...

New Report> The future of the Black Cab trade Black Cabs could be extinct in 20 years without government support. As costs to run & purchase a taxi rise, financial assistance continues to fall. Our latest report unpacks how we support London's iconic taxis: centreforlondon.org/publication/...

New for OnLondon from @charleswright57.bsky.social: Is London's economy too centralised? www.onlondon.co.uk/charles-wrig.... @centreforcities.bsky.social @centreforlondon.bsky.social @richardwatts01.bsky.social @richardbrown.bsky.social @queensparkkaren.bsky.social

"Enforcing legislative demands on short-term let landlords is near impossible." "Councils simply do not have the budget, nor the power, nor the personnel.” ICYMI: @robanderson17.bsky.social speaks to @itsmylondon.bsky.social on short term lets in the capital: www.standard.co.uk/news/london/...

Rough sleeping is at record-breaking highs in the capital. 1318 people were sleeping rough on a single night in London in autumn 2024, new data from MHCLG has revealed. The highest number on record. Our Research Director, @robanderson17.bsky.social, comments below:

"Data from the GLA estimates at least 1 in 10 short-term lets in the capital exceed the 90-day limit. The reality is likely to be far higher." @robanderson17.bsky.social speaks to @itsmylondon.bsky.social on the issues with short term lets in London. 📰 Read now: www.mylondon.news/news/propert...

Westminster have committed to investing £140m into buying temporary accommodation. Our CEO @antoniajennings.bsky.social describes this investment as a "step in the right direction" 📰 Read the full @itsmylondon.bsky.social article below: www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-...

💡 ICYMI: Read our latest blog on the retrofit vs demolition conversation 💡 Hear from our researcher @danreast.bsky.social, as he unpacks the implications of the M&S Oxford Street decision on planning in the capital. Read now: centreforlondon.org/blog/what-do...

*Lessons from two decades of campaigning on food poverty* In our new blog, @sustainweb.org reflect on the persistence of food poverty, the success seen at a local action level, and what’s next: bit.ly/40WxGEC

📥 Check your inbox for our latest newsletter from our CEO @antoniajennings.bsky.social 📥 Not signed up to our newsletter? Want to be kept up-to-date with London policy, our research and events? Sign up now: centreforlondon.org/newsletter-s...

Demolition vs retrofit - an ongoing debate. With the demolition of M&S on Oxford Street now approved, what does this mean for the future of London's built environment? That's the question @danreast.bsky.social answers in his latest blog: centreforlondon.org/blog/what-do...

Have you read our new Research Director’s thoughts on what the Autumn Budget means for London? @robanderson17.bsky.social, who previously worked for HM Treasury, gives us the inside scoop on this significant fiscal event.

Hi Bluesky 👋 We are London's independent think tank. A voice for all London is, and could be. Our comprehensive research, advocacy & events programme tackles the critical issues facing the capital. Our vision is a London that’s successful & sustainable. A global city that works for all Londoners.

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