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| Boris Johnson's call for tax-raising powers for London boosted by report | Boris Johnson's call for tax-raising powers for London boosted by report |
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| London's mayor, Boris Johnson, has backed a report calling for the capital to be given greater financial freedom in order to fund major infrastructure projects. | London's mayor, Boris Johnson, has backed a report calling for the capital to be given greater financial freedom in order to fund major infrastructure projects. |
| Johnson said the way London received funding from central government was "simply not fit for purpose" and called for tax and spending powers similar to those devolved to Scotland and Wales. | |
| Under the proposals, London would be given complete control over property taxes, including council tax, stamp duty and business rates, as well as the ability to levy new taxes such as a tourist tax. | |
| The London Finance Commission report also recommended giving the city the power to introduce new taxes, such as a levy on tourists, and greater freedom to borrow. | The London Finance Commission report also recommended giving the city the power to introduce new taxes, such as a levy on tourists, and greater freedom to borrow. |
| Johnson said there was an "acute need for London to be able to better plan and finance the infrastructure needed to prosper and maintain a great quality of life, in the face of a decade of expansion". | Johnson said there was an "acute need for London to be able to better plan and finance the infrastructure needed to prosper and maintain a great quality of life, in the face of a decade of expansion". |
| He said: "The current system is simply not fit for purpose and is out of step with the funding settlements enjoyed by cities of comparable size and stature. | He said: "The current system is simply not fit for purpose and is out of step with the funding settlements enjoyed by cities of comparable size and stature. |
| "Furthermore, Londoners will increasingly question why London government cannot enjoy similar fiscal freedoms as those afforded to the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales. London's key bodies are agreed that the capital's financial future lies in greater devolution. We will now be taking this case to government." | "Furthermore, Londoners will increasingly question why London government cannot enjoy similar fiscal freedoms as those afforded to the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales. London's key bodies are agreed that the capital's financial future lies in greater devolution. We will now be taking this case to government." |
| The commission was chaired by Professor Tony Travers from the London School of Economics, who said: "London needs greater financial autonomy to drive growth and deliver better infrastructure. Wales and, in particular, Scotland are moving towards far greater discretion over taxes. London should be treated similarly. | The commission was chaired by Professor Tony Travers from the London School of Economics, who said: "London needs greater financial autonomy to drive growth and deliver better infrastructure. Wales and, in particular, Scotland are moving towards far greater discretion over taxes. London should be treated similarly. |
| "Indeed, other cities in England could follow London down the route to greater financial accountability and self-determination. England is far too centralised and the London Finance Commission's pragmatic proposals would be a first step towards a more sensitive and popular democracy." | |
| As well as control over property taxes, the commission recommended that London should be given the power to introduce other small levies, including on tourists. The report said: "The international evidence we received suggested that all the other cities reviewed had one or more tax of this kind, including levies on sales, betting and alcohol. | As well as control over property taxes, the commission recommended that London should be given the power to introduce other small levies, including on tourists. The report said: "The international evidence we received suggested that all the other cities reviewed had one or more tax of this kind, including levies on sales, betting and alcohol. |
| "A tourism tax would seem to have particular potential in London because of the size and particular needs of the leisure and tourism industry. If the city's cultural, tourist and entertainment industry are to flourish, there is a powerful argument for a levy that could then be reinvested in marketing and urban realm improvements. | "A tourism tax would seem to have particular potential in London because of the size and particular needs of the leisure and tourism industry. If the city's cultural, tourist and entertainment industry are to flourish, there is a powerful argument for a levy that could then be reinvested in marketing and urban realm improvements. |
| "Similarly, allowing London government to introduce levies on, say, environmentally detrimental or unhealthy activity could assist in delivering wider public good objectives. We support the maximum discretion for the Greater London Authority and London boroughs in the use of such levies." | "Similarly, allowing London government to introduce levies on, say, environmentally detrimental or unhealthy activity could assist in delivering wider public good objectives. We support the maximum discretion for the Greater London Authority and London boroughs in the use of such levies." |
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