The architect Patrik Schumacher has joined the debate on the future of London housing with a provocative call for reforms including the abolition of “all forms of social and affordable housing”, the phasing out of housing benefit and the replacement of “free-riding” social tenants with more “productive” residents. Mr Schumacher, the director and principal of Zaha Hadid Architects, who also muses about the desirability of building on 80 per cent of Hyde Park and celebrates the presence of foreign, second-home owners, claims that such far-reaching changes are needed to create a genuine free market and insists that the capital is only suffering from its current housing crisis because of over-regulation and unnecessary restrictions on development.
His prescription, set out in an address to the World Architecture Forum, is certainly bold and, if nothing else, will stimulate welcome debate about how best to address this city’s housing problems. But the thrust of his argument is undoubtedly misguided. It is wrong to categorise those occupying social housing as free-riders. The vast majority work, often in vital jobs that help keep this city running. Affordable housing is similarly essential. A central London filled only with the rich would not only be a depressing prospect — depriving this city of the social mix which has been one of its strengths for so long — but would eventually make it unviable. Teachers, bus drivers, social workers, cleaners, restaurant staff and many other modestly paid Londoners are all essential components of the capital’s success and cannot be banished to its margins. More effort, not less, should be made to accommodate them centrally. Mr Schumacher should perhaps stick to designing buildings.
Helping science thrive
Today's call by Alice Gast, the head of London’s Imperial College, for reforms to the visa system governing the admission of students and academics to this country is timely and important as the Government considers the future of immigration policy once Britain leaves the EU.
Professor Gast, an American, points out that scientists, engineers and technology professionals, which her world-leading university produces, already make a huge contribution to the economy and, alongside colleagues from other centres of scientific excellence such as the Francis Crick Institute and University College London, can help take the country forward post-Brexit with further brilliant innovations if sufficiently flexible visa policies are put in place. She suggests US-style reforms allowing top graduates to work here for up to three years after their degrees and automatic visas for EU academics collaborating with British counterparts as among the possible options that should be considered. Ministers should study her ideas closely. The quality of London’s science and technology sectors is one of this country’s great strengths and must be supported.
Close gender pay gap
The disclosure today by Mayor Sadiq Khan of a gaping gender pay gap in the organisations that he oversees highlights a familiar, and unfortunately widespread, problem that is inflicting unfairness on too many women. The Mayor’s figures show that male staff at Transport for London are paid 19.2 per cent more than their female colleagues and that there is an even greater 35 per cent gap at the London Legacy Development Corporation, which is responsible for the future of the Olympic Park. Mr Khan is right to shine a light in this area and correct, too, to insist that such bodies must put their “houses in order”. This is an area in which City Hall should lead and encourage others to follow. Gender pay discrimination must be ended.
