Tuesday 13 December 2016

Sadiq Khan growing on London businesses say industry leaders

Just over six months into the job the new Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan appears to be winning round businesses according to a new report for London Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The poll of more than 500 businesses, conducted by ComRes for LCCI showed that London businesses are more likely to think that Mayor Sadiq Khan is pro-business (39%) than anti-business (16%), while one third (31%) say that he has a neutral attitude towards businesses.

While the proportion who see him as pro-business is unchanged from Q1 this year, the proportion who see him as anti-business has dropped (16% down from 27%), and the proportion who think he is neutral towards business has risen (31% up from 20%).

Chief Executive of LCCI, Colin Stanbridge said: "No doubt in one sense the Mayor will view this a good news as it is certainly an improvement on business perception of him before the election.

"However Mayor Khan can't be resting on his laurels as a third of businesses still think he is neutral and 16 per cent believe he is anti-business. While fewer business leaders now see him as anti-business, the proportion who see him as actively pro-business is unchanged, suggesting that business leaders are still cautious about his credentials.

"There have been several good decisions on his part including bringing forward transport infrastructure projects such as the night tube and the Bakerloo line extension and well as backing the expansion of London City Airport

"We are also pleased that he has taken on board our proposals for a London work permit and London Visa in the wake of the referendum. All of these are essential to ensure London remains globally competitive, especially at a time when businesses are uncertain about the future.

"However we would question his hesitancy to back a third runway at Heathrow.

"Therefore he's not making a bad start but I'm not sure he has quite yet fulfilled his pledge to be the 'most pro-business mayor ever'. There's still a lot left to play for."

ENDS

Media contact
Katharine McGee
T: +44 (0)20 7203 1897
M: +44 (0)7827 241528
E: kmcgee@londonchamber.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITOR:
1. London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is the capital's largest and most representative business organisation, with members ranging in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders.
2. Colin Stanbridge, chief executive is available for further comment and interview.
3. ComRes surveyed 502 London business decision makers online between 2rd and 22st November 2016.
Data was weighted to be representative of all London businesses by company size and broad industry sector.
ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Data tables are available at www.comresglobal.com