Why Channel 4’s Leeds move lacks ‘proper strategy’ – Khan
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for more devolution of power from London to the regions.
Speaking today at the London Conference, run by think tank Centre for London, he said that while he congratulates Leeds for becoming Channel 4’s new hub, “spinning out some companies to the regions is not a proper strategy”.
Last week, the broadcaster chose the West Yorkshire city over Birmingham and Manchester, as well as opting for smaller creative hubs in Bristol and Glasgow.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has called for more devolution of power from London to the regions.
Speaking today at the London Conference, run by think tank Centre for London, he said that while he congratulates Leeds for becoming Channel 4’s new hub, “spinning out some companies to the regions is not a proper strategy”.
Last week, the broadcaster chose the West Yorkshire city over Birmingham and Manchester, as well as opting for smaller creative hubs in Bristol and Glasgow.
The three cities will be home to 300 jobs when the Channel 4 offices are fully established, and will play a part in its goal to spend £250m more on regional content.
However, Khan said the government should focus more on granting the regions greater powers and resources to attract these types of companies. “I want to see more devolved powers flow to our cities. It is vital, as successive governments have failed to deal with the gap between rich and poor areas.
“Devolution is clearly unfinished business. There is a need for cities to have more control, made more urgent by Brexit. If power is repatriated from Brussels, let us make sure it is not just handed to Whitehall. This really would be handing back control.
“The government should give more control to cities outside London over their own public services, housing, and schools.”
Khan also spoke about the housing crisis and called again for a push on housebuilding. “If we double the density of London, it will still be less dense than Paris,” he said. “I don’t accept we need to build on the green belt. It is still possible to build more quality homes.”
He also tackled the issue of Londoners between the ages of 30 and 40 leaving the city, draining the capital of talent.
“We need to increase the number of affordable homes. Londoners aged 30 and 40 are leaving in record numbers. They want a house they can afford, not a flat. By 2024 we want to turn that around.”
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