London’s Population Reaches New Peak as Mayor Sadiq Khan Announces Major Housing Initiative

London’s population has surged to an unprecedented level, driven by a significant increase in migration, coinciding with Mayor Sadiq Khan’s announcement of a major initiative to boost housing construction. In a bold move aligned with his re-election bid, Khan has pledged to initiate “the most ambitious council housebuilding effort in recent history,” aiming to deliver 40,000 new council homes by the end of this decade.

This initiative doubles down on his previous commitment, which successfully commenced the construction of 20,000 council homes last year. According to a Centre for Cities report, London’s population has likely surpassed its pre-pandemic high of 10.1 million, posing potential challenges for the city’s infrastructure and public services.

The city experienced a decline during the Covid-19 pandemic, with a notable exodus of 75,500 residents between mid-2019 and mid-2021. However, a rebound occurred last year as 66,000 individuals moved to London, nudging the population back to its pre-pandemic levels.

With the official population figures for 2023 pending, the Centre for Cities anticipates that a modest increase of 9,000 people would set a new population record for the capital. This growth over the past two years is largely attributed to a boom in international migration, which remained positive even through the pandemic years, reported by “The Telegraph“.

Centre for Cities‘ Chief Executive, Andrew Carter, highlighted the pressing need for policy adjustments to accommodate London’s growing population, particularly in areas like housing and public transport. The think tank also pointed out the increasing demand for office space as more companies encourage or require employees to return to on-site work, further stressing the city’s resources.

The call for more housing comes as a response to the long-standing pressure on London’s infrastructure, exacerbated by the recent population growth and the gradual return to office work. This situation underscores the critical need for strategic planning and investment to ensure the city’s readiness for its evolving demographic and economic landscape.