The Mayor and Housing Tony Travers LSE

The creation of the GLA The GLA was created in 2000, re-creating metropolitan government for London The GLC’s demise had resulted (in part) from outer boroughs’ reactions to GLC housing policy The Blair government was thus cautious about giving the GLA housing powers, other than land-use responsibilities

Housing, the GLC and the government’s approach to the GLA Source: London’s Boroughs At 50, Travers, 2015

1999 Act: explicit prohibition of expenditure on housing

London Plan, 2004 - 1 - Mayor sets targets, densities etc for housing

London Plan, 2004 - 2 Table 3A.1 Provision for additional ‘homes’ targets, 1997-2016

Policy moves on… By 2007, the government had developed more confidence in the GLA Moreover, the city’s population was rising fast Recognition of a growing need for mayoral action to deliver higher housing numbers, also more power over regeneration schemes

2007: additional housing powers

2011: further housing powers

2016

Looking ahead Population and employment growth continue… The 2016 mayoral election saw all major candidates committed to more, and more affordable, housing Will the Mayor now seek additional powers to intervene in planning decisions? How will the boroughs respond to demands for significantly higher housing delivery? Will the government be willing to grant additional powers to the mayor to intervene and drive through housing development? How to sustain a consensus while changing behaviour?

The Mayor and Housing Tony Travers LSE