Business body calls on next London Mayor to commit to new homes target or risk damaging London鈥檚 competitiveness

The CBI has called on the next Mayor of London to commit to building 50,000 homes a year to ensure the capital continues to be an attractive international hub for investment, skills and tourism.

The CBI鈥檚 said the next mayor must commit to a housing strategy within 100 days of taking office, as well as pressure the government to deliver the Airports Commission鈥檚 recommendation that a new runway is built in the south east.

Speaking about its London Manifesto, CBI London director Lucy Haynes said: 鈥淔rom building the 50,000 homes a year the capital needs to house its talented workers, and a new runway that will boost our exports to high growth markets, to making the city a global beacon for digital and technological skills, London鈥檚 next leader has a unique opportunity to plan ahead, and position the city at the head of the pack.鈥

The call by the CBI comes days after the London Housing Commission, chaired by Bob Kerslake also recommended 鈥渞adical鈥 new devolution to solve London鈥檚 housing crisis.

The final report by the commission also called for 50,000 homes to be built to keep pace with the city鈥檚 growing population or risk damaging businesses in the capital.

Kerslake said: 鈥淭he London Housing Commission does not claim to have all of the answers, but it is clear that the status quo will not do.

鈥淭he housing crisis will not solve itself, and radical measures of the sort we outline in this report will go a long way to delivering the volume of quality, affordable homes that the capital desperately needs.鈥