Sunak sets out own London plan to tackle housing and hospitality woes | Property Week

In the lead up to next week’s general election, Sunak revealed his London plan in an interview with the Evening Standard.

The prime minister pledged that if the Conservatives win the election, he would axe “burdens, regulations and red tape” relating to the capital’s pubs, restaurants, bars and theatres, which have been hit by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Sunak told the newspaper hospitality venues were “essential for driving the London economy”, adding the “problem is worse in London than it is everywhere else.”

Sunak said the Tories would ease the housing crisis by raising inner-city housing density to similar levels as European capitals like Barcelona and Paris. The party would also press on with regenerating major sites including Euston, Old Oak Common and Thamesmead.

Sunak said: “People care about economic stability, inflation is back to target, the economy is growing, interest rate cuts are now on their way, and mortgage rate cuts.”

Sunak also pledged to get civil servants back into the office “so people can deliver for the country”. He added: “The benefits you get from seeing people face-to-face, the mentoring you get and connections you form, you can’t replicate over zoom or teams”.

Sunak also attacked mayor of London Sadiq Khan for failing to hit the capital’s annual housing targets, continuing the stand-off between the government and Khan over key London policies.

“It’s important Sadiq Khan is held to account for his record,” said Sunak. “He has failed to hit his own housing targets.”