London tech sector outlines its eight key asks of next mayor

Tech London Advocates has released its new tech manifesto listing eight recommendations ahead of the city’s Mayoral and London Assembly Elections, set to be held on 2 May this year.

The advocacy group for London’s private tech sector, which boasts more than 18,000 members, together with the tech campus Here East, claims that the eight policy focus areas will drive growth and prosperity of the capital’s tech ecosystem.

Announced at a TLA event today at Here East’s campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, areas of focus included upskilling Londoners with AI and LLM skills, the funding of more locally-based green tech ventures as well as pushing more initiatives that will make the London Stock market a more attractive listing location for scale-ups.

The tech association also recommended making 5G more of a London-wide rather than a Central London-only feature, as well as improving diversity and inclusion throughout the sector with skills bootcamps and other programmes.

Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates founder Russ Shaw said that the recommendations were designed “to strengthen London’s vibrant tech ecosystem as a launchpad for the future, ensuring the city retains its place as a world-leading tech hub”.

He added: “Improvements to diversity of talent in the sector and the need to build ultra-fast fibre networks are not wishful thinking, but basic requirements to fuel the continued growth of London tech.”

Incumbent Mayor of London, Labour’s Sadiq Khan, is the favourite to win a third, four-year term as London Mayor. Khan’s green pledges include a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2030, along with 40,000 electric vehicle charging points in the capital.

Khan also recently called for a crackdown on disinformation leading up to the mayoral elections, following a deepfake audio of his voice which was widely distributed on social media.

Other candidates include the Conservative’s Susan Hall, who is focussed on female safety in the city, and independent candidates such as Natalie Campbell – the co-CEO of bottled water social enterprise Belu.

The eight recommendations – in full

According to TLA and Here East the following policy areas should be considered over the next four-year term:

Develop and revitalise London’s digital talent Expand the Mayor’s pledge to equip Londoners with the skills necessary to take full advantage of a new AI and LLM-driven tech environment by investing in upskilling and reskilling programmes, as well as London’s world-leading universities, ensuring the capital has access to the world’s most digitally literate workforce.

Support a balanced and effective regulatory landscape Support the CMA and CFA in creating an agile regulatory environment that encourages innovation but protects against the dangers of untested emerging technologies; support the building of regulatory sandboxes and create a regulatory framework that can quickly adjust to a rapidly changing tech ecosystem.

Bolster London’s ‘world-leading’ cleantech sector Position the cleantech sector as one of the first lines of defence against the climate emergency. Create educational programmes that inspire the next generation of cleantech enthusiasts, while demonstrating its real-world potential by supporting green technology and clean air initiatives throughout the city, building on the mayor’s pledge for a greener London.

Make the London markets a more attractive place to list Strengthen London’s listing environment by adopting pro-business initiatives that encourage UK-based businesses to scale at home. Create an entrepreneur-led environment by removing needless bureaucracy and supporting pro-business reforms such as the Mansion House Compact.

Harness London’s capabilities with emerging technologies Develop world-leading emerging technology capabilities by amplifying the expertise of leading industry groups. Promote existing initiatives such as the London Data Charter and the Smart London Agenda and build knowledge-sharing bridges between academia and industry.

Improve tech sector diversity and inclusion Champion initiatives that teach technical skills throughout London, ensuring that marginalised groups and those from underrepresented areas can access tech opportunities through skills bootcamps and other skills-focused programmes.

Connect London with other tech hubs – both domestic and international Take advantage of London’s global credentials by enhancing engagement with the wider UK and the rest of the world through trade missions and increased support for major tech events such as London Tech Week and London Data Week.

Build world-beating 5G and ultra-fast fast fibre networks Build on the Mayor’s pledge to make London the world’s best-connected city, building 5G-supporting infrastructure, installing citywide, rather than Zone One focused, super-fast broadband and ensuring continued funding for the ‘Connected London’ scheme.