Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, plans to take up cudgels on behalf of overseas companies to campaign against “absurdities” in the UK visa regime which is making life difficult for Indian corporate working in London.
“We are collecting evidence to mount a high-profile campaign to ensure that the points-based visa changes do not deter people and talent from coming to London,” he told a select gathering of Indian business heads in London. Mr. Johnson, as Mayor, is equivalent to a chief minister for running the city.
Recent changes in UK work permit and immigration rules have created a headache for Indian companies investing in the UK, especially the it sector.” India –owned business in the capital generate over £14.4billion an represent 5% of London’s economy .One of my most important roles as Mayor is to make sure that London remains the number one city to do business in,”Mr Johnson said.
Think London, the foreign direct inward agency, has said that despite the recession, 14 Indian companies have set up expanded operations in London, and India companies account for 4,000 jobs worth £461 million to the London economy, making it the second-highest source of jobs after the US.Mr.Johnson said he would work to “protect London’s entrepreneurial abilities”, including on thorny issues like high marginal rates of taxation and taxation for non-domiciles ,a stance that could bring him into conflict with the government of the day. Even a Tory one.
Mr. Johnson hopes to “harness the £9.3 billion Olympic investment not just for East London, but for the whole city,” to improve efforts to tackle problems like crime, transport bottlenecks and eco-friendly options .London is in the midst projects to upgrade its tube and rail network and a sewer project to clean up the river Thames.
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