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Impact

Our Research and Policy Engagement projects

LSE London provides a link between academic research and policy work. Since its creation, the group has been committed to producing research that will be useful to policy makers and practitioners. Our impact work is best illustrated through our research and policy engagement projects exploring topics such as mayoral election, the London Plan and housing delivery in London.

In early March 2020 when London was starting to think about the Mayoral election scheduled for May 2020, LSE London organised a short series of roundtables to address major policy areas.The roundables were anticipated by the Mayoral Hustings, event co-organized by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and LSE, to ask Mayoral candidates why they should be elected Mayor of London.

One major objective of the research was to bring together a range of people well informed, both about London politics and the challenges a Mayor would face, to develop a set of questions that might productively (and publicly) be put to the candidates. But there was also another ambition: to help develop a continuing policy debate in the media and among a wider public.

After 4 of the planned series of 6 rountables had taken place - the Covid19 lockdown brought a 12-month postponement of all the May elections to May 2021. Even so the discussions that had taken place raised a whole range of issues still relevant ahead of the upcoming election debate, rescheduled for March 2021. The main topics LSE London roundtables addressed in 2020 were housing, transport, land use planning, employment, jobs and inequality.

Following the 12-month postponement of all May elections due to Covid, the London Mayoral elections were confirmed for 6 May 2021. Therefore, LSE London decided to resume its series of roundtables and events to discuss the key policy issues facing the new Mayor of London after the elections, ranging from the London plan, transport in London, policing in London, political leadership, London’s growth to-the levelling up agenda.

In particular, rountableshave addressed the following topics:

  • Housing Delivery;
  • Finance and delivery of transport;
  • Partnership and collaboration in land use planning;
  • The Metropolitan Economy, Jobs and Equality;
  • The London plan;
  • Transport in London;
  • Policing in London.

Mayoral Hustings

February 3rd, 2020: Event co-organized by London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Speakers

  1. Clare Coghill on behalf of Sadiq Khan, Labour.
  2. Stephen Greenhalgh on behalf of Shaun Bailey, Conservative.
  3. Sian Berry, Green.
  4. Siobhan Benita, Liberal Democrat.
  5. Rory Stewart, Indipendent.

Chair

Prof. Tony Travers, Director LSE London.

Multimedia

Open Events

  • April 21st, 2021: How should the Mayor lead London now? (Watch on Youtube)

Speakers

  1. Richard Brown, Centre for London
  2. Prof. Ian Gordon, London School of Economics
  3. Dr Jack Brown, King's College London
  4. Catriona Riddell, Catriona Riddell Associates

Chair

Prof. Tony Travers, Director LSE London.

Speakers

  1. Madeleine Sumption, University of Oxford
  2. Prof. Mark Kleinman, King's College London
  3. Prof. Ben Rogers, LSE Cities/University of London
  4. Andrew Carter, Centre for Cities

Chair

Prof. Tony Travers, Director LSE London.

Speakers

  1. Cllr. Elizabeth Campbell, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
  2. Jonathan Werran, Localis
  3. Cllr. Clare Coghill, London Borough of Waltham Forest
  4. Nick Walkley, Independent

Chair

Prof. Tony Travers, Director LSE London.

Blogposts

Roundtables publications

Rountable 1: 4 March 2020

Roundtable 2: 4 March 2020

Roundtable 3: 6 March 2020

Roundtable 4: 6 March 2020

Roundtable 5: 24 March 2021

Roundtable 6: 31 March 2021

Mayor Sadiq Khan’s proposed London Plan is now entering its formal Examination in Public (EiP). The Plan is the Mayor’s most important policy instrument. The EiP is an extended process that allows public discussion of questions such as the feasibility of the Plan’s housing targets; how these relate to the Mayor’s affordability priorities; density and built form; and the relation between development inside and outside London. The core issues around housing and land use are highly political, and the fundamentals remain disputed. LSE researchers, particularly the LSE London research group, have worked extensively on these issues over the last few years. LSE London’s objective is to ensure that this body of LSE research is taken into account during the EiP.

LSE London is participating in this process in a number of ways:

  • We gave comments on the draft Plan and the related Housing Strategy at consultation stage last year. Click here to read the Draft London Plan consultation – LSE London response
  • We have submitted written evidence on a number of the fundamental issues that the Plan addresses.
  • We are bringing together a short booklet identifying the research that we have undertaken and the conclusions and recommendations to the London Plan.
  • We have so far held five roundtables for participants and knowledgeable specialists covering four of the most fundamental topics and a session taking stock on where we are on contested matters at the mid-stage of the process. We are publishing summaries of the discussions and conclusions on the web.
  • We have taken part in nine of the public sessions and hope to take part in two more on viability at the end of the EiP process in May. We have written a number of blogs about how the discussion has gone in these sessions, the most important areas of dispute and the solutions put forward.
  • Here is our coverage of the EiP so far:

Introduction

Written Evidence

Roundtables

Sessions

Final Event Discussion

Other outputs

We will do a final event on what the EiP has achieved.And we will do our own assessment of the EiP’s Panel decisions.This page will be updated to reflect our work for this project.

London faces a significant housing crisis that threatens both its social sustainability and its long-term economic stability. Last year (2014-15), our HEIF5 project, Addressing the Supply Crisis focused on the implications of the national election debate for London; identified barriers to supply specific to the capital and pointed to where change was needed. In doing so, we built immensely positive relationships with major stakeholders providing both a careful analytic base and an independent environment where they could come together to discuss ways forward.

Following on from that, this year's (2015-16) HEIF5 project will focus on the run up to the mayoral election examining strategies and instruments to accelerate the development of new housing and specifically clarifying how the new mayor could use his/her powers in the new policy context to generate a step-change in housing delivery. Throughout this year, LSE London has explored these issues through five major themes:

  • Constructing Construction
  • Devolution London
  • Finance
  • Housing Zones
  • Planning Certainty

Each theme addresses how the new London Mayor can help overcome the major barriers to improving London’s housing crisis through workshops, site-visits, and stakeholder focus groups. Multimedia outputs bring the project to life, with thought-provoking research expressed through blog posts, and short films.

This project recognises the importance of the housing issue for the Mayoral election and the role of the GLA in making that a success. All potential candidates agree that a step change in housing delivery is needed but there is very little agreement on the details of how to ensure it happens. The wide range of national housing and planning policy changes that have been introduced since the national election, which impact on what is achievable, further complicates matters.

By engaging key groups of stakeholders and focusing on practical ways of overcoming the main barriers to accelerating supply, we hope to influence and improve the debate leading up to the mayoral election and to provide a blueprint for the months following the election.

Publications

Reports and Articles

Scanlon, K. & Whitehead, C. (2016) The profile of UK landlords. Council of Mortgage Lenders.

Whitehead, C., Scanlon, K., & Holman, N. (2016) Rising to the Challenge: London's Housing Crisis. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5.

Scanlon, K. [Contributor]. (2016) State of the Nation 2016: social mobility in Great Britain. Social Mobility Commission.

Gordon, I. & Whitehead, C. (2016) ‘Why else is density important?’ (London Plan Density Research Project 5). Greater London Authority.

Gordon, I. Mace, A., & Whitehead, C. (2016) ‘Defining, measuring and implementing density standards in London’ (London Plan Density Research Project 1). Greater London Authority.

Whitehead, C., Scanlon, K., Monk, S., Tang, C., with Haffner, M., Lunde, J., Anderson, M., & Voigtländer, M. (2016) Understanding the role of private renting: a four country case study. Knowledge Centre for Housing Economics.

Holman, N. & Mossa, A. (2016) Market VS Planning: is Deregulation the answer? Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5.

Whitehead, C., Scanlon, K., & Holman, N. (2016) Accelerating housing production in London, preliminary report. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5.

Scanlon, K. Whitehead, C., & Williams, Peter. (2016) Taking stock: Understanding the effects of recent policy measures on the private rented sector and Buy-to-Let. The London School of Economics and Political Science.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., & Edge, A. with Banerjee, P. (2016) The effect of forthcoming housing policy changes on social-tenant employment and the London economy. LB Camden.

Whitehead, C. [Commissioner]. (2016) Building a new deal for London: Final report of the London Housing Commission. Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR).

Whitehead, C. [Advisory group member] (2016) 'Home Improvements'. New Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).

Scanlon, K. (2016) ‘Is going Deutsch worth it?’ View, an independent social affairs magazine, Issue 35.

McDonald, N. & Whitehead C. (2015) New estimates of housing requirements in England, 2012 to 2037. Town & Country Planning Tomorrow Series Paper 17.

12 October 2015

Holman, N., Fernández-Arrigoitia, M., Scanlon, K., & Whitehead, C. Housing in London: Addressing the Supply Crisis (Final Report & Executive Summary). Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5.

Multi-media

Videos

Mossa, A. & Steel, P. (2016) Enforcing the unenforceable: The hard work of two enforcement officers in London. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London YouTube.

Mossa, A. (2016) Discussing planning deregulation in London: Office conversions and short-term lettings. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London YouTube.

Mossa, A. (10 Oct 2016) Creating communities in London's new villages. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London YouTube.

Boer, L. & Leizaola, R. (21 Jul 2016) PLACE making: A modular approach to London’s housing shortage. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London YouTube.

Boer, L. & Leizaola, R. (21 Jul 2016) The Kipling Estate: Genuinely affordable housing in central London. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London YouTube.

Blogs

Mossa, A. (2016) Market VS Planning: is Deregulation the answer? Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Scanlon, K. (2016)Urban villages: some observations from LSE London. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., Fernández Arrigoitia, M. (2016)Accelerating Housing Production in London: Making national housing policy work in the capital. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., Fernández Arrigoitia, M. (2016) Building relationships with central and local government, blog from our roundtable event.Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., Fernández Arrigoitia, M. (2016) Housing strategies for the new mayor, seminar blog.Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Gordon, I.Next London Mayor should work with Wider South East to rethink the green belt. Centre for Cities.

Whitehead, C. (2016) Will the new London Mayor have the powers necessary to tackle the housing crisis? Centre for Cities.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., Fernández Arrigoitia, M. (2016) A case for greater planning certainty. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., Fernández Arrigoitia, M. (2016) Innovative construction methods. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., Fernández Arrigoitia, M. (2016) Housing zones as new housing acceleration tools. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Moreno-Tabarez, U. and Whitehead, C. (2016) Mayoral hustings debate summary: ‘Why I should be Mayor of London Tomorrow’. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., Fernández Arrigoitia, M. (2016) Roundtable on Planning and the Role of SME Builders. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., Fernández Arrigoitia, M. (2016) Roundtable 1: Setting the Priorities. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5. LSE London Blog.

In the news

Marcellin, F. (2016) The future of urban housing. Design & Build Review Magazine. Issue 27.

Meyerm H. (2016) Would a rent cap work for tenants facing £1,000-a-month-rises?The Guardian.

Christie, J. (2015) Buy-to-let is taxed more in Britain than Germany, France or US - before the new tax. The Telegraph.

Clapperton, G. (2015) Time for change. New Statesman.

Events

Seminar (21 Jul 2016): Alternative housing development in London: Practices and possibilities. London School of Economics.

Short film festival (14 Jul 2016): Visualising London's Housing Crisis: Problems and Solutions. London School of Economics.

Conference (6-8 Jul 2016): 2016 AREUEA conference. Alicante, Spain.

Conference (5 Jul 2016): The Residential Funding Conference. London.

HEIF 5 Final Conference (23 Jun 2016): Opportunities to Accelerate Housing Production in London. London School of Economics.

HEIF 5 Seminar (10 May 2016): Housing Strategies for the New Mayor. London School of Economics.

Report Launch (10 May 2016): Taking stock: Understanding the effects of recent policy measures on the private rented sector and Buy-to-Let. London School of Economics.

Conference 914 Apr 2016): Providing cheap housing in expensive cities: is social housing the answer? ETH Forum Wohnungsbau 2016.

HEIF 5 Seminar (9 Mar 2016): A greater case for certainty. London School of Economics.

HEIF 5 Seminar (24 Feb 2016):Innovative construction methods. London School of Economics.

HEIF 5 Seminar (10 Feb 2016): Housing zones as new housing acceleration tools. London School of Economics.

HEIF 5 Seminar (28 Jan 2016): Mayoral hustings debate: ‘Why I should be Mayor of London Tomorrow. London School of Economics

HEIF 5 Seminar (20 Jan 2016): Roundtable on Planning and the Role of SME Builders. London School of Economics

Seminar (15 Dec 2015): GLA Intelligence Seminar: House prices in London. City Hall, London.

HEIF 5 Seminar (23 Nov 2015): HEIF5 Accelerating Housing Production in London Roundtable 1: Setting the Priorities’. London School of Economics.

Housing Select Committee of the LB of Lewisham (1 Dec 2015): The PRS: Evolution in London and international perspective’. Lewisham Council.

Report Launch (19 Nov 2015):The future of the private rented sector Kensington, London.

Conference (Nov 2015):Is there a problem with the current housing market? Geffrye Museum of the Home.

Conference (Nov 2015): Barriers to accelerating housing delivery New Ideas for Housing: Tools for accelerating delivery, New Architecture London.

Conference (21 Oct 2015):Housing in London: the current state of play. Policy Forum for London.

Conference (13 Oct 2015):The Role of Social Housing in Europe. Uppsala University.

Roundtable and Report Launch (12 Oct 2015):Housing in London. London School of Economics.

London’s housing crisis is a real and multifaceted problem, but responses to it are incoherent and weakly evidenced.

There is an evident need for improvements in London’s housing market, including more and higher-quality new construction, enhanced affordability, and a better match between households and dwellings. During 2014-15, LSE London explored these issues through programming tied to four major themes:

  • New Housing and the London Plan
  • Improving Private Renting
  • Alternative Housing
  • The Role of Foreign Money

Each theme addressed the major barriers to improving London’s housing crisis and explored innovative ways forward through workshops, site-visits, and stakeholder focus groups. Multimedia outputs brought the project to life, with thought-provoking research expressed through blog posts, short films and an interactive map. The project included a provocative debate to coincide with the production of party manifesto priorities, tying our research and findings to material action. A final conference drew on all themes, involved international experts facing similar issues, and set the agenda for the debate moving towards the Mayoral and local government elections in 2016.

LSE London has a long legacy of producing influential housing-related research and bringing together key stakeholders involved in London’s most pressing economic and social issues. This HEIF 5 project will draw on our previous success facilitating similar discussions about pressing issues like migration.

Details of every project event, discussion, and publication will also be presented on our blog. Check back frequently to find out ways you can get involved and to follow the exciting conversation as it progresses.

Publications

Books

Scanlon, K., Whitehead, C., & Fernández, M. [Eds.] (2014) Social Housing in Europe. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Scanlon, K. & Kochan, B. (2011) Towards a Sustainable Private Rented Sector. LSE London.

Reports and Articles

Whitehead, C., Fernández, M., Scanlon, K., & Holman, N. (2015) Housing in London: Addressing the Supply Crisis. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5.

Fernández, M. & Scanlon, K. (2015) Co-designing senior co-housing. Urban Design.

Whitehead, C. & Sagor, E. (2015) The impact of new housing development on surrounding areas. Barratt Developments.

Ellis, K. & Whitehead, C. (2015) Affordability: A Step Forward. Affinity Sutton.

Whitehead, C. & Sagor E. with Edge, A., & Walker, B. (2015) Understanding the local impact of new residential development – a pilot study. London School of Economics.

21 March 2015

Holman, N., Whitehead, C., Scanlon, K., Fernández, M., & Sagor, with E. Mossa, A.(2015) PRS Profiles: Learning from tenants’ experiences to improve private renting in London. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5.

Scanlon, K. & Fernández, M. (2015) Development of new cohousing: lessons from a London scheme for the over-50s. Urban Research and Practice Vol 8 (1).

Cheshire, P., Tonkiss, F., Hamnett, C., Negrini, J., & Lammy, D. (2014) Debate: accelerating residential development in London – what works? Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5.

LSE London (2014). Launch Event: Thematic Briefing Notes. Higher Education & Innovation Fund [HEIF] 5.

Whitehead, C. & Scanlon, K. (2014) Rent Stabilisation: Principles and International Experience. London Borough of Camden.

Whitehead, C., Scanlon, K., Williams, P., & Gibb, K. (2013) Building the Rented Sector in Scotland. Homes for Scotland.

Whitehead, C., Travers, T., Scanlon, K., & Fernández, M. (2013) Creating Conditions for Growth. Berkeley Group.

Scanlon, K. Fernández, M., Whitehead, C. (2013) A Lifestyle Choice for Families? Private Renting in London, New York, Berlin and the Randstad. Get Living London.

Site Profiles

LSE London (20 Apr 2015):Walters Way, Featherstone Lodge, Havelock Walk. Video: Lessons from a visit to three alternative housing sites in south London.

Peon-Veiga, R. & Habra, K. (2015): Fizzy Living, Fizzy and the ‘good landlord’ model.

Habra, K. & Trindle, T (2015): Pocket, Why Pocket works: size may not matter when it comes to affordable housing.

Trindle, T. & Walch, B. (2015): Y-Cube, Prefab is Back in Town.

Walch, B. & Peon-Veiga, R. (2015): Bow Arts Live/Work Units: Learning from live/work.

LSE London (2015):Stratford Halo & East Village.

LSE London (2015):Millbrook Park, Barnet (27 Nov 2014).

LSE London (2014):Ailsa Street, Tower Hamlets.

Multi-media

LSE London (2015) PRS Profiles: Learning from tenants’ experiences to improve private renting in London.

Videos

Leizaola, R. & Boer, L. (2015) Lessons from a recent site visit to Greenwich Peninsula. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015) PRS Profiles: An Introduction. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015)PRS Profiles: Learning to compromise. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015)PRS Profiles: Struggling with substandard options. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015) PRS Profiles: Wheeling and dealing with agents and landlords. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015) PRS Profiles: The struggle to secure housing in London. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015)PRS Profiles: Precarity and inequality in the PRS. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015) PRS Profiles: Desiring alternatives, but needing security. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015) PRS Profiles: The reality of private renting in London. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015) Alternative housing: Lessons from a visit to 3 South London schemes. LSE London YouTube Channel.

Mossa, A. (2015) Owner-occupation: its benefits and risks in different market contexts. LSE London YouTube Channel.

LSE London.A New Model for PRS in London? LSE London YouTube Channel.

Podcasts

Holman, N. and Whitehead, C. (2014) Housing Over the Airwaves. World at One.

Holman, N. Debate: accelerating residential development in London – what works? LSE London.

Tonkis, F. (2014)'Game Changer’ for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Hamnett, C. (2014) 'Game Changer’ for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Cheshire, P. (2014) 'Game Changer’ for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Lammy, D. (2014) 'Game Changer’ for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Negrini, J. (2014) 'Game Changer' for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Blogs

Holman, N., Scanlon, K. Whitehead, C. and Fernández-Arrigoitia, M. (2015) Workshop: The role of Housing Associations in accelerating residential development in London. LSE London Blog.

Fernández-Arrigoitia, M. and Scanlon, K. (2015) Towards a community of practice: notes from a London Local Authority roundtable. LSE London Blog.

LSE London. (2015) Political party manifestos – anything for London’s housing? LSE London Blog.

LSE London. (2015)Is foreign money necessary for accelerating housing development in London? LSE London Blog.

Traynard, C. (2015)From our own correspondent: Marching for homes. LSE London Blog.

LSE London (2015) Increasing the range of alternative approaches to supply in London can significantly increase output. LSE London Blog.

LSE London (2014)Accommodating 'Generation Rent' -- how to overcome barriers to institutional investment in London's private rented sector. LSE London Blog.

LSE London (2014)Accelerating new housing production in London -- what works? LSE London Blog.

Whitehead, C. (2014) Lyons and London: Labour’s latest housing review should not ignore initiatives in the capital. LSE British Politics Blog

LSE London. (2014) Alternative housing could be the answer to London’s housing crisis. LSE London Blog.

LSE London (2014)Miliband’s proposals: Old fashioned rent control or a better operating market? LSE London Blog.

LSE London (2014) Planning and housing – why the continuing tensions? LSE London Blog.

LSE London (2014)London’s housing crisis is real, but the Mayor’s housing strategy falls short on solutions. LSE London Blog.

In the news

Grahame, C. (2015) Councils looking to alternative housing as part of the solution to the supply crisis. The Guardian.

Holman, N. and Whitehead, C. (2014) Housing Over the Airwaves. BBC Radio 4: World at One.

Davies, G. (2014) Six ways to cool the housing market. Financial Times.

Vella, H. (2014) Micro housing: the answer to London’s housing crisis? Design-buildnetwork.com.

Peachey, K. (2014) House Prices: Same street, different property market. BBC Business.

Whitehead, C. (2014) Re-evaluating the Greenbelt will deliver more homes. Propublica.

LSE London (2014)LSE experts submit joint response challenging Mayor’s Housing Strategy. LSE British Politics Blog.

Events

Post-Election Event (2015): Looking ahead – how should the new government address London’s housing supply crisis?

Site visit: Peon-Veiga, R. & Habra, K. (2015): Fizzy Living, Fizzy and the ‘good landlord’ model.

Site visit: Habra, K. & Trindle, T (2015): Pocket, Why Pocket works: size may not matter when it comes to affordable housing.

Site visit: Trindle, T. & Walch, B. (2015): Y-Cube: Prefab is Back in Town.

Site visit: Walch, B. & Peon-Veiga, R. (2015): Bow Arts Live/Work Units: Learning from live/work.

Site visit: LSE London (2015):Stratford Halo & East Village.

Site visit: LSE London (2015): Millbrook Park, Barnet (27 Nov 2014).

Site visit: LSE London (2014): Ailsa Street, Tower Hamlets.

Debate: Holman, N. (2014) Accelerating residential development in London – what works? LSE London.

Podcast: Tonkis, F. (2014) Game Changer’ for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Poscast: Hamnett, C. (2014) Game Changer’ for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Podcoast: Cheshire, P. (2014) Game Changer’ for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Podcast: Lammy, D. (2014) Game Changer’ for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Podcast: Negrini, J. (2014) 'Game Changer' for Housing Supply. LSE London.

Project Launch (2014):An Introduction to Our Four Main Themes, Briefing Notes: Launch Event: Thematic Briefing Notes

Immigration is one of today’s most conflictual issues. There is disagreement about how immigration affects economies and about how national policy can improve growth and support social cohesion and welfare. Stakeholders include not only policy makers and migrants themselves but indeed almost all of society.

London has a particular stake in the debate—it is the UK destination of choice for migrants from all parts of the income and education spectra, many of its industries depend on specialist migrant labour, and it is home to communities from all over the world.

This HEIF 5 project brings together London policymakers, experts and those who drive the economy to provide an evidence basis and a forum for informed debate about how international immigration affects London, focusing on six different themes:

The two-year series of roundtables, workshops, seminars, conferences, and publications will monitor and disseminate relevant research and evidence. This is a comprehensive archive of all available outputs.

Publications

Book

Kochan, B. [Ed] (2014) Migration and the London’s growth. LSE London.

Framing papers

Datu, K. (2014) Settlement patterns of rich and poor-country migrants into the London metropolitan region since 2001. LSE London.

Reports

Fernández-Arrigoitia, M. (2015) Islington Park Street Community: a model for alternative housing in London. LSE London.

Scanlon, K. Fernández, M., Sagor, E., & Whitehead, C. (2015) Home advantage: housing the young employed in London. Sutton Trust.

External presentations

Scanlon, K. (2013) The impact of skilled non-EU migration on UK housing market. Norface Research Program on Migration & Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration.

Events

Roundtable (2013): Feasible approaches to estimating the UK’s irregular migrant population in April 2011.

Roundtable (2013): London’s household projections and their implications for planning: a roundtable discussion

Project launch (2012): Opening roundtable

Workshop (2012): Higher education and migration workshop

Seminar (2014): Migration and low pay in London (Programme)

Seminar (2014): Policy responses to a London low pay problem

Seminar (2013) New migration regimes and higher education

2 July 2013

The new population and household projections: implications for London seminar

29 June 2013

The London Finance Commission seminar

1 March 2013

Higher education and migration seminar

Conferences

27 June 2014

Migration and the transformation of London: an international perspective

Session 1: Migration and the economy

Session 2: Migration, communities and services

Session 3: Migration, politics and the city

24 March 2014

How is London being transformed by migration?

Session 1: Setting the Context – Impacts of Migration 2001-2011
[Listen to Podcast of Session 1 presentations here]

Session 2: Implications – Bigger
[Listen to Podcast of Session 2 presentations here]

Session 3: Implications – Different
[Listen to Podcast of Session 3 presentations here]

Private renting is an increasingly important part of the UK's housing system. The owner-occupation rate has begun to fall after decades of growth, as access to home ownership remains too expensive for many households. Yet Buy to Let has also been adversely affected by aspects of the financial crisis and the sector as a whole remains highly dependent on government through housing allowances. Private renting may have to substitute for a significant part of the owner-occupied sector for years to come and may provide a better option for many households. On the other hand social housing is moving towards an 'affordable rents' regime which in some cases may compete for similar households—what changes in policy and culture will be required? Housing policy has long focused on increasing the role of institutional investors and providing a wider range of tenure relationships than those traditionally offered by individual landlords, but so far major changes have not been achieved. Given the consequences of the financial crisis and last year's change of government, his was a useful time to bring together existing knowledge about the private rented sector and what might work for the future, and in particular to look at the lessons that can be learned from other countries.

This HEIF 4 series of workshops, international conference and edited publication focused on the lessons the UK can learn from those countries where the private rented sector houses a larger percentage of households and about how to achieve and maintain a sustainable PRS. Available documents from our archives are linked below:

Publication

Book

Kochan, B. and Scanlon, K. (eds.). (2011) Towards a sustainable private rented sector in the UK: the lessons from abroad. LSE London.

Events

Workshop 1 (2011): The Revival of Private Renting in the UK/ England's Private Rented Sector: Lessons from Abroad

Workshop 2 (2011): The Revival of Private Renting in the UK/ England's Private Rented Sector: Lessons from Abroad

International Conference, Workshop 3 (2011): The Private Rented Sector in the UK: bringing together ideas from across and beyond Europe

Seminar & book launch (2011): Towards a sustainable private rented sector: lessons from abroad

London in the New Economic and Political Environment is the fifth in a series of projects funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF IV). Like past years, this event and publiacation-based programme addreses relevant issues pertaining to London and contributes to policy, analysis and practice by incorporating and disseminating feedback from key London actors from the academic and private and public sectors.

This year's seminars and workshops will concentrate on London's sustainability, in economic, financial and environmental terms, in the new economic environment. They will maintain and extend their well-defined role in facilitating research output, knowledge transfer and in helping to inform and shape current debates. They will develop a comparative perspective through collaborations with LSE's Spatial and Economics Research Centre (SERC) and LSE Cities, as well as internationally with Science Po.

This year's project will also produce a number of research briefs on topics such as

  • governance issues in the light of national and local election results;
  • public expenditure in London;
  • the new London housing allocations;
  • aspects of the new London Plan and the implications of the Transport Plan.

Publications

Book

Kochan, B. & Scanlon, K. (2011) Towards a sustainable private rented sector: lessons from abroad. LSE London.

Report

Whitehead, C., & Travers, T. (2011) The case for investing in London's affordable housing. LSE London/G15.

Autumn Briefing paper series

Gordon, I. (2011) The economic recession: why London escaped lightly. Department of Geography & Environment. London School of Economics.

Lupton, R. (2011) Poverty and Inequality in London: anticipating the effects of tax and benefit reforms. Centre for Analysis of Social Exclusion.

Mace, A. (2011) Inner and outer London: a tale of two cities? Department of Geography & Environment. London School of Economics.

Scanlon, K. (2011) Private renting: learning the lessons from other countries. LSE London.

Whitehead, C. (2011) The case for public investment in affordable housing in London. LSE, Department of Economics

Events

Seminars

Seminar & book launch (2011): Towards a sustainable private rented sector: lessons from abroad

Seminar (2011): The Big (suburban) Society- community, identity and amenity in outer london with Centre for London, Demos

Seminar (2011): Immigration and the London economy

Seminar (2011): Poverty and Inequality in London: What difference will the Coalition's social policies make? with CASE

Seminar (2011): Cooperative Manchester- Complex London? Evolving City Governance

Conference

Conference (2011) Investing in London's affordable housing with g15, GLA

This series of seminars was sponsored by Higher Education & Innovation Fund (HEIF) 4. The seminars explore various themes including:

  • How to govern London
  • Government spending review, or austerity
  • Economic scenario for London's future
  • Mayor's draft of London Plan
  • Social housing
  • London's public services

Below are documents available from our archive:

Publications

Book

Scanlon, K. & Kochan (2010) London in austerity: a review of housing, planning, and public policy issues in 2010. LSE London.

Background papers

Gordon, I. (2010) Scenarios and Planning for Alternative London Futures- or Making a Drama out of a Strategy. In London in austerity: a review of housing, planning, and public policy issues in 2010.

Travers, T. & Whitehead, C. (2010) A Mayor and Assembly for London: 10 Years on. In London in austerity: a review of housing, planning, and public policy issues in 2010.

Government Office for London. (2010) Transforming London's Public Service.

Whitehead, C.M.E., Travers, T., Gordon, I., & Scanlon, K. (2009) Social housing in London.

Gordon, I., Holman, N., Travers, T., & Whitehead, C. (2009) The Draft Replacement London Plan: how much of a change?

Podcast recordings

4 November 2010

Coping with austerity: London after October 20th

  • Chair Introduction: Tony Travers, LSE
    Available as: mp3 ( 12.05 minutes)
  • Speaker: John O'Brien, London Councils
    Available as: mp3 ( 13.55 minutes)
  • Speaker: Michael Edwards, UCL
    Available as: mp3 ( 13.02 minutes)
  • Speaker: Christine Whitehead, LSE
    Available as: mp3 ( 10.25 minutes)
  • Speaker: Kath Scanlon, LSE London
    Available as: mp3 ( 11.43 minutes)
  • Questions & Debate
    Available as: mp3 ( 19.48 minutes)

Events

Debate (2010): Coping with austerity: London after October 20th

Seminar (2010): London's Future: a scenario approach

Seminar (2010): A Mayor and Assembly for London: 10 years on

Seminar (2010): Transforming London's public services

  • National Perspective Smarter Government
    Helen Bailey, HM Treasury
  • External Perspectives: Transforming London's Public Services
    Robert Gordon Clark, London Communications Agency
  • London Councils' Priorities
    John O'Brien, London Councils:

Seminar (2010): The future of social housing in London

London Development Workshops III is the third in a series of workshops partially funded by the Higher Education Innovation Fund (HEIF). Following the successful format of previous years, this round will continue to bring together key London actors in order to address relevant issues pertaining to London's governance and its social and economic development.

The workshops will explore both broad issues such as the relationship between London and the broader South East and London's Place in the UK economy. It will also concentrate on emerging issues arising from the current economic crisis - notably how local authorities can better support London's economy; the role of the LDA; home ownership options; and the private and public financing of social housing.

Publication

Book

Scanlon, K. & Whitehead, C. (2008) Social Housing II: A review of national and EU policies and outcomes. LSE London.

Events

Seminar (2009): The Greater South-East: London's super region

Seminar (2009): London in recession: the impact of the downturn on the capital

Seminar (2009): Looking Back - Looking Forward: Private Finance for Social Housing

Seminar (2009): Conditions for Recovery- Prospects for Growth

Seminar (2009): Low Cost Home Ownership and the Credit Crunch

Seminar (2008): Social housing futures: European experience and lessons for the UK

Over the coming year, workshops will be held at examining migration, the recent local government; housing and transport reviews; London's government; policing; and a comparative analysis of the London and Paris economies.

Events

Seminar (2008): Greater London: 50 years of reform and government

Roundtable on Paris (2008): London economies and their governance

Seminar (2008): The Thames Gateway: building a new city within an old one?

Seminar (2007): Migration and the London economy

Seminar (2007): The role of social housing in the London economy

  • Social housing's current role in London Christine Whitehead
  • Implications of the Hills report on the future roles of social housing for LondonJohn Hills
  • Lessons from Europe for social housing in London Kath Scanlon
  • The role of social housing in London - a GLA view Alan Benson
  • The role of social housing - a provider's viewJune Barnes
  • The role of social housing - a local authority view David Woods
  • The role of social housing - lessons from the Westminster CommissionLord Richard Best

Seminar (2007): GLC to the GLA: 40 years of London Government

The project consists of a series of conferences, workshops and seminars designed to bring together stakeholders in key debates on London's economic, political and social development.

Using LSE's research strengths, extensive networks and reputation for contributing to robust public policy, London development workshops will operate to transfer knowledge and expertise from universities across the UK at the point where policy formation, economic development and business activity converge around particular issues.

Over the coming year, workshops will be held at LSE on London's housing, governance, demography, transport, education, media and economy.

Events

Seminar (2006): The GLA Review and London Government- the government's proposals for reform

  • 'Tilting the balance? The government's final proposal for the Mayor and Assembly'
    Tony Travers
  • The Government's Proposals for Additional Powers for the Mayor of London and London Assembly
    Andrew Campbell
  • The New Government of London
    Tony Travers

Seminar (2006): How far must, or should, economic growth in London be centralised?

Seminar (2006): London and the Media

  • London in the Media, by Tony Travers

Seminar (2006): LSE London Density Debate

  • The Land Fetish, a suitable case for Dr Freud?
    Prof Sir Peter Hall
  • Professor Anne Power
  • Professor Christine Whitehead
  • A case for density? Well maybe
    Michael Edwards
  • 'Density, a debate about the best way to house a growing population' Paper by LSE London

Seminar (2006): Race and Community Relations in Contemporary London

  • Race, Immigration and Community Relations in Contemporary London
    Tony Travers and Ian Gordon
  • The far-right in London
    Helen Margetts
  • Economic Impacts of Recent Migration to London
    Dhananjayan Sriskandarajah

Seminar (2006): The Barker Review and London

Seminar (2005): Roundtable on Funding Transport Projects in London

Seminar (2005): The London Conference

  • Key issues for London governance by Tony Travers
  • Whitehall, the GLA and the Boroughs: what works and what doesn't
    Tony Travers
  • Housing and Planning - a success story?
    Christine Whitehead
  • Transport
    Stephen Glaister
  • Dealing with the Economic Reality of London's (wider) Functional Region
    Ian Gordon