Key workers could get subsidised homes under mayoral hopeful's plan

Festus Akinbusoye, a candidate for the Conservative nomination for Mayor of London, has put forward a proposal to provide subsidised homes for Metropolitan Police officers and other key workers during the initial three years of their careers. This initiative aims to address the significant financial pressures faced by essential public service employees working in the capital.

Mr Akinbusoye, a councillor in Westminster and former Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, stated that high rental costs are forcing key workers to relocate to surrounding counties or preventing them from establishing families in London. He told The Standard that cheaper homes are necessary for Met officers, nurses, and teachers to "benefit everyone in the capital."

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Addressing affordability challenges

The average starting salary for a Metropolitan Police officer is approximately £43,000 per year. However, recent data from the HomeLet Rental Index indicates that typical private monthly rent in London stands at £2,272. This disparity highlights the financial strain on new recruits and other essential workers.

Under Mr Akinbusoye's proposal, key workers could occupy subsidised accommodation for their first three years. He suggested that this period would allow individuals to gain a foothold in the city while their salaries potentially increase. After this initial term, they would be expected to transition to market-rate housing, by which point their income should have risen sufficiently.

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Housing delivery and targets

To implement his housing plans, Mr Akinbusoye intends to establish a dedicated housing delivery unit within City Hall. This unit would collaborate with developers and other stakeholders to facilitate the construction of new properties. He also advocates for the abolition of existing affordable housing targets in London, proposing instead that the required contribution from each development be assessed individually.

Mr Akinbusoye argued that current targets may deter developers from undertaking new projects, thereby worsening the city's housing shortage. He expressed concern that without intervention, London could become unaffordable for families, likening the situation to the potential disappearance of child-rearing age individuals from the city within two decades.

Mayoral candidate selection

In the race for the Conservative mayoral candidacy, former Foreign Secretary Sir James Cleverly is currently the frontrunner. He has reportedly secured the support of over half of the Conservative councillors in London. Other contenders include Mr Akinbusoye, Andrew Boff, and Alex Challoner. The final selection of the Conservative candidate is anticipated in December 2026.