Commenting on the Queen’s Speech, John Dickie, Chief Executive at London First said:
“Putting more powers into the hands of communities across the country is long overdue, as local people know best what will turbo-charge levelling up in their area, whether they are in Barking or Blackpool, north or south. The focus on education is right but the Government risks missing the opportunity to speed up reskilling for those who lost their jobs during the pandemic.
“The decision to slim down planning reforms is disappointing. Proposed changes to streamline the process must be brought forward now to avoid delay to the housebuilding and local growth needed to build back better from the pandemic.â€