Ken Livingstone has thrown the spotlight on to the damaging effects of the Mayor of London’s inaction on the economy and jobs in a document, Defending London’s Living Standards and Economy from the Tories, published today [pdf].

The report identifies a number of key issues for London’s economy including;

• London’s unemployment rate (9.3%) above to the national average (7.9%). The economic inactivity rate in London is 23.7%, which is the worst inactivity rate in the whole of England.
• The need for greater engagement with major economies including India, China and Brazil and the damage caused by Tory government cuts on falling levels of public and private investment in London.
• The mounting cost to Londoners of Boris Johnson’s inaction on issues such as pollution and his vanity projects including the fantasy Thames airport and new bus (over £500 million).

Today Ken makes a series of commitments to encourage economic growth and redistribute wealth in the interests of all Londoners including;

* Holding down bus fares, following a rise in the cost of a single bus fare by a third under Boris Johnson – delivering the lowest possible fares is the biggest contribution that the Mayor can make to protecting Londoners living standards against the effects of the recession;

* Making the Living Wage a condition of procurement, employment and services within the GLA group and ODA and using every lever to convince London employers to implement the Living Wage;

* Building a new consensus across London for new infrastructure projects to improve the quality of life in London and create new jobs;

* Opposing Tory-Lib Dem plans to privatise the Royal Mail and cut housing benefit which threatens thousands of Londoners.

* Lobbying for a fair taxation system, rejecting Tory calls to lower the top rate of tax to 40%.

Ken Livingstone said:

“Boris Johnson has blazed a trail for the government when it comes to cuts and it is Londoners who will suffer with fewer affordable homes built, fewer police on the streets and huge cuts to schools and hospitals.

‘Today I am calling for a shift in the priorities of City Hall from defending bankers’ bonuses and squandering millions on pet vanity projects to defending Londoners from cuts and investing in new jobs.

“I am setting out today how I will hold down fares and keep them lower than a second-term Tory administration.

‘The Mayor should be far more engaged and active in opposing deep government cuts and putting jobs and growth at the heart of every City Hall policy.

“I believe it is essential that the Mayor uses every lever to convince London employers to implement the Living Wage and make the Living Wage a condition of procurement, employment and services within the GLA group and ODA.

“Whilst Boris awards pay hikes to his staff and regards his £250,000 a year salary from the Telegraph as ‘chickenfeed’ millions of Londoners are struggling to make ends meet and need a Mayor who will fight for them.”

Ends.