Tackle inequality with more jobs

Unemployment rates have steadily increased in London since 2002 and are now the highest in the UK. Using his experience in business leadership, Alan Craig will promote London as a centre of enterprise, innovation and opportunity. He will make the case for business to invest and ensure that the capital has a high-skilled, well-paid workforce and a climate that favours new jobs coming to the capital. The Christian Choice is arguing the case for tax-payer value and greater efficiency in managing City Hall, so that London keeps its international prominence.

Unlike the other candidates, Alan has seen life at both ends. He's been a top business executive but has spent two decades living and working in London's most deprived district, Canning Town in Newham. The Leader of the Opposition on Newham Borough Council, Alan knows first-hand how poverty impacts families. As London Mayor, he will act to tackle inequality.

The gap between London's haves and have-nots has widened remorselessly under labour - latest figures shown the share of the poorest fifth in the UK has fallen as the richest fifth has grown larger. Not only is inequality an affront to social justice, it fuels crime, divides Londoners between rich and poor, corrodes democracy and decreases social mobility.

As the City pays out mouth-watering bonuses to the few, fourteen per cent of households in London have an income of less than £150 per week. Alan will change this through better jobs skills training, winning new investment, better schooling and through an approach at City hall that takes business seriously.

As a first-step, Alan Craig will argue for a London Living Wage of £7.20 per hour. He will also campaign for a better work and life balance for all. In collaboration with business organisations, unions and employers forums, Alan Craig will identify ways of overcoming problems related to over-work.

The Christian Choice will work with employers and training providers to put in place the right practical, onsite training that will help local people in London get the skills they need to fill local job vacancies. He will do this by drawing upon the development plans of London's top
companies to address skills shortages in advance of new workers being needed.

All across London, Christian churches and agencies are working hard to help the poor and vulnerable. They are often the most active and effective groups reaching out to those in need in any community, especially when it comes to getting marginalised people back into the workforce. As Mayor Alan Craig would break anti-religious prejudice by helping faith groups
improve and grow projects which are working well. He will therefore establish a Church Social Action Fund for London, which will give match funding to faith groups undertaking social action work.

Working with existing business support agencies, individuals and institutions, Alan Craig will use his business experience to leverage a £500 million London Regeneration Fund. This will provide interest free loans and support for mutual guarantee schemes. Services provided would include micro business start up funds, partnerships with corporate buyers
and suppliers to get help in kind and start up facilities.