Jobs
Jobs, skills and fair wages
Mike Tuffrey wants the huge investment in the Olympics to bring a lasting benefit, including jobs in East London
Business creates the jobs and wealth our growing city needs.
But too often big business doesn’t live up to its responsibilities. Despite all the opportunities here, one in ten Londoners is looking for work – that’s 385,000 people.
We need a mayor who’ll challenge the City to invest in the small, growing, sustainable businesses of tomorrow, like the Green Investment Bank nationally.
- Large companies must open up their purchasing to local companies through CompeteFor, the Olympics procurement system, and pay their workers and contractors at least the London Living Wage
- Bring under the GLA the £600m being spent in London on adult skills, with firms offering apprenticeships and placements for graduates
- Offer finance to small firms and growing companies through a Mayor’s Small Business Fund, supported by the big banks
Really like the idea of a Small Business Fund – it will need to focus on the needs of Outer and Inner London. LibDems need to demonstrate that they can be the party of small business – the Conservatives are too concerned with big business and the City. Outer London town centres need to use business improvement district models as well – as in Kingston.
I agree about outer London – and especially like the BID model as it really involves business in taking decisions for their area; they are paying extra afterall.
The so-called ‘re-localisation’ of business rates offers some benefits on a larger scale, though it will take a while to get right, I’m sure.
Meanwhile Boris Johnson has been raising money for his charity fund – no problem with that – but not holding the banks’ ‘feet to the fire’ on small business financing.