Despite dismissing the post-Brexit call to declare London a separate State, the Mayor of London has revealed that he is in discussions with key government figures in order to set up a ‘London work permit’ system.
Sadiq Khan counts Brexit Secretary David Davis, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson among those that he has spoken to about the idea as he tries to negotiate the best possible post-Brexit deal for the capital.
Mr Khan explained to the press this week that a group of business representatives were looking to create “a model that will ensure we can carry on recruiting and attracting talent.”
“We are talking to business leaders, businesses, business representatives,” he said, “to see what we can do to make sure London doesn’t lose out on the talent, the innovation, the partnership that has let us be the greatest city in the world.”
Mr Khan indicated that, although he had yet to discuss the plan with Prime Minister Theresa May, he had received positive feedback in discussions so far. He said: “The good news is the Government gets it… in all the conversations I’ve had with members of the Government, from the Chancellor to the Brexit Secretary to the Foreign Secretary and others in Government, I think they get it.”