Sadiq has called on Wandsworth Council to do more to revitalise Tooting town centre.

Earlier this week, retail expert Mary Portas published her review into the future of High Streets – and identified a series of recommendations to renew town centres.

The report comes out in the same week that unemployment figures reached a 17-year record high, undermining the government’s expectation that the private sector would absorb job losses following government cuts. Tooting has more people unemployed people claiming Jobseekers Allowance now than this time last year, in each of the three age ranges (16-24, 25-49 and over 50s).

Sadiq Khan MP said: “I read The Portas Review with great interest. There are a number of recommendations which Wandsworth Council could implement to revitalise Tooting town centre. However, it is going to take strong leadership from local and central government – something we haven’t seen in recent months. 

“Locally, a Business Rate concession for start-up and small businesses could really help employers keep their business going at a very difficult time. Wandsworth Council could also relax parking regulations on Saturdays, to help draw in more customers. On a national level, a reduction in VAT and a one year national insurance tax break for those small firms which takes on extra workers would help the economy.

“Of course, fresh ideas on how to revitalise Tooting town centre is nothing new – the Labour councillors in Wandsworth have suggested a 10 Point Plan to help clean up and promote Tooting to businesses, but Wandsworth Council won’t listen.

“Wandsworth Council and the government needs to do more. Giving local businesses a ‘shot in the arm’ could really help revitalise our local economy, and help reduce unemployment figures.”