Prices and crowds leave non-Londoners feeling locked out of capital

Property prices, chaos and crowds have left non-Londoners feeling locked out of living and working in the capital, a survey has revealed.

London is seen as expensive and over-populated and 78 per cent of people living outside the city feel excluded.

And only 3 per cent said they thought living and working in the capital could be a ‘very realistic’ option for them, the Centre for London revealed.

London is seen as expensive and over-populated and people living outside of the capital feel excluded from the city, a study reveals.  File photo

And while those who live outside of London think that the city contributes to the national economy, 84 per cent feel as though the city does not benefit their local area directly. 

Despite this, 56 percent of Britons said they were ‘proud’ of London as a capital city.

Expressions of pride dropped outside of England with 39 per cent in Scotland and 44 per cent in Wales. 

But even in the North – the least proud English region – a majority of people still say they are proud of London. 

A substantial 29 per cent thought Londoners were arrogant, and a larger 41 per cent described Londoners as 'diverse'. File photo

A substantial 29 per cent thought Londoners were arrogant, and a larger 41 per cent described Londoners as ‘diverse’. File photo

When it came to attitudes over the people of the city, a substantial 29 per cent thought Londoners were arrogant, and a larger 41 per cent described Londoners as ‘diverse’.

And those who visited the city frequently were 7 per cent less likely to call its residents arrogant and 7 per cent more likely to find them friendly.

But despite this, non-Londoners view the city as an expensive, chaotic and crowded to place to live.

Londoners also described their home city as over-populated and too expensive. File photo

Londoners also described their home city as over-populated and too expensive. File photo

 And those who live in the capital don’t think differently– Londoners described their home city in the same words.

Those surveyed were also asked if they would move any institutions out of the capital to make the UK ‘a fairer place’.

These included royalty, central government, the civil service, national museums and the national press.

Despite being able to choose up to three institutions to move, the top choice both those living outside and inside London was ‘None – I don’t thinking moving anything out of London would make the UK fairer’.

Those living outside of London had pride in the city as a capital and felt it benefited to national economy. File photo

Those living outside of London had pride in the city as a capital and felt it benefited to national economy. File photo

 Of those non-Londoners who did choose an institution to move, the most popular option was government departments, but fewer than one in five people thought it would make a difference. 

Dr Jack Brown, Senior Researcher at Centre for London, said: ‘Brits might be proud of London, but too many people feel excluded from the city. 

Prof Philip Cowley, Professor of Politics at Queen Mary University of London and Director of the Mile End Institute, said: ‘Most people think London delivers for the UK’s economy – they just don’t think it delivers for them’.   

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