nunca deixa de me surpreender quantas prioridades os políticos podem criar. Uma semana é o cuidado social, o próximo, são habilidades, então é lei e ordem, depois outra coisa. Nem tudo pode ser uma prioridade. A economia da Capital é responsável por cerca de 565 bilhões de libras, aproximadamente 17% do produto interno bruto do Reino Unido. Se a economia de Londres não está funcionando, nem o Reino Unido. E Londres gera os impostos que subsidiam grandes faixas de nossos serviços públicos. Muitos países, na Commonwealth e além, procuram orientação e confiança em Londres. Muitos países e empresas seguem nossa liderança. fornecer um lead. Sim, eles precisam estimular a economia por meio de iniciativas "comer fora para ajudar", investimentos adicionais em infraestrutura e esquemas de volta ao trabalho. Não apenas não podemos pagar esses níveis de subsídio, mas também não podemos pagar o nível de conforto que isso fornece aos funcionários e empregadores. Londres, como muitas vilas e cidades de todo o país, está clamando para que o setor público retorne a pelo menos um novo normal.
This is particularly prevalent during elections, though now it’s being applied post-pandemic.
Let me be clear, the first number one priority for UK PLC should be to get London’s economy moving again.
We’ve entered a recession and if we’re going to come out of it relatively unscathed then London’s performance is key.
The Capital’s economy accounts for around £565 billion, approximately 17% of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product. If London’s economy isn’t working, then neither is the United Kingdom.
London helps create jobs in the North of England, it provides finance for new businesses in every region, it underwrites companies that need support or insurance, it is home to the main cogs, not just in government, but in major companies that operate UK wide, and beyond. And London generates the taxes that subsidise large swathes of our public services.
Indeed, London is not just our Capital, it is a world city and we should not underestimate the impact it’s performance has globally. Many countries, in the Commonwealth, and beyond, look to London for guidance and confidence. Many countries and companies follow our lead.
So, we have a responsibility to get London moving again.
We can talk about the need to support local authorities, we can press for more money going into NHS salaries, we can campaign for levelling up the economy across the country, to help redress the geographical social and economic imbalances, but if we don’t get London back on track everyone suffers.
Central Government need to provide a lead. Yes, they need to stimulate the economy through ‘eat out to help out’ initiatives, further investment in infrastructure and back to work schemes.
They are right to end the furlough scheme. Not only can we not afford such levels of subsidy, but we cannot also afford the level of comfort it’s provided both employees and employers.
The Government also need to get the civil service back in their offices, get local authority staff back to work, teachers back into schools. London, like many towns and cities across the country, is crying out for the public sector to return to at least a new normal.
e as grandes empresas precisam desempenhar seu papel. Talvez alguns tenham medo de litígios relacionados ao coronavírus dos funcionários; nesse caso, o governo também deve ajudar com isso. A curto prazo, recessão. Chris
What is clear is that large companies, many centred in London, need to provide leadership and get back to as near normal as possible.
The hesitation, the doubt, the cautiousness – we are on the verge of creating a self-fulfilling prophecy which locks us into a long-term, instead of short-term, recession.
So, yes, there can be priorities two, three, four and five, but for the next few months, the number one priority – for our politicians and business leaders – must be stimulating London’s economy.
Simon Danczuk is Chairman of Downtown in Business London, a business consultant, and former Member of Parliament.
