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The right immigration system seen as key to London’s post-Brexit future

Thursday 28 March 2019

London businesses and public have said that allowing the capital to set its own immigration targets (for people with key skills) is the most important thing to ensure that London is successful post-Brexit, whilst tackling knife crime should be the capital’s highest priority after Brexit.

The polling, released today by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), also showed that London’s councillors said that building more homes should be London’s highest priority after Brexit, whilst giving the Mayor more powers to encourage the building of new homes is the most important thing to ensure that London is successful post-Brexit.

Independent research agency ComRes carried out the polling on behalf of LCCI between 22 February and 20 March, interviewing 502 London business decision makers, 1,011 London adults, and 113 London councillors.

The polling supports LCCI’s ‘London Tomorrow’ – after Brexit, what next for the Capital’ debate, which is taking place at City Hall tonight (Thursday 28 March).

‘London Tomorrow’, a series in association with PwC and supported by London City Airport, is assessing a range of challenges that London faces as it heads towards a 10 million population and ‘megacity’ status.

Colin Stanbridge, Chief Executive, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said:

“Not for the first time, the importance of London having the right immigration system in order to ensure the capital continues to be successful post-Brexit has been evidenced in our polling of London’s businesses and residents.

It is why LCCI is challenging the government’s proposed £30,000 salary threshold and also why we are calling for devolution of immigration decision-making to a London City Hall level, rather than a UK-wide approach from Whitehall.

Our polling also indicates the high priority that is placed on tackling knife crime, a subject that is likely to continue to be a significant issue into the 2020 London Mayoral elections.”

When selecting the top three most important things to ensure London is successful after Brexit:

  • 55% of councillors, 54% of businesses, and 47% of the public said ensuring that more of the tax collected in London is spent in London.
  • 46% of councillors, 56% of businesses, and 47% of the public said allowing London to set its own immigration targets for people with key skills.
  • 55% of councillors, 36% of businesses, and 39% of the public said giving the Mayor more powers to encourage the building of new homes.

When selecting the top three highest priorities for London after the UK leaves the EU:

  • 71% of councillors, 71% of businesses, and 73% of the public said tackling knife crime.
  • 82% of councillors, 65% of businesses, and 68% of the public said building more homes.
  • 70% of councillors, 60% of businesses, and 65% of the public said upskilling London’s workforce.

Global London:

  • 62% of businesses and 57% of the public agree that London is well-placed to take advantage of a more global outlook for the UK, compared to 31% and 26% respectively who disagree. Councillors are more divided on this subject (50% agree vs. 45% disagree).
  • 55% of businesses and 49% of the public agree that even if there are short term setbacks, London will prosper after Brexit, compared to 38% and 37% respectively who disagree. Councillors are more likely to disagree (55%) than they are to agree (42%) with this statement.


ENDS

Media contact
Steven Reilly-Hii
T: +44 (0)207 203 1897                     
M: +44 (0)7827 241528
E: sreilly-hii@londonchamber.co.uk

 

NOTES TO EDITOR:

  1. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry is the capital’s most representative business organisation, with members ranging in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders.  Colin Stanbridge is available for further comment and interview.
  2. ComRes interviewed 502 London business decision makers, 1,011 members of the London public, and 113 London councillors between 22 February and 20 March 2019. All data were weighted to be representative of:

    - All London businesses by company size and broad industry sector.
    - All London adults by age, gender, London region and socio-economic grade.
    - All London councillors by party and London region. ​

    ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Full data tables are available at www.comresglobal.com
  3. Click here for further information about London Tomorrow.