In October 2021, the mayor commissioned Lord Kerslake to chair an independent review and consider how a City Hall developer could be piloted in the next mayoral term.

Lord Kerslake’s Review, which was published today, makes 15 recommendations across the following areas:

• oversight of GLA Group housing delivery 
• GLA Group collaboration on housing delivery 
• City Hall developer 
• LLDC transition 
• finance and funding

Lord Kerslake confirmed that a City Hall developer could provide additional development capacity to help close the gap on future housing supply. 

The report endorses expanding and strengthening the GLA’s housing delivery functions to include increased land acquisition and assembly, a larger in-house development management function, a more unified approach to small sites delivery, and greater risk-sharing and genuine partnering with London’s existing affordable housing sector. 

A new team is also expected to be set up in City Hall’s housing and land directorate to drive the work on the new City Hall developer. 

“Tackling the housing crisis has always been a top priority for me,” said Khan.

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“I’m proud to have achieved record breaking delivery of genuinely affordable homes during my first term as Mayor. 

“This achievement includes working with boroughs to kick-start a renaissance in council homebuilding, with more council homes started across the capital last year than in any year since the 1970s. 

“But I know we must do even more, and I’m keen to lead by example through maximising the number of genuinely affordable homes built on land owned by the GLA Group. 

“I accept the recommendations of Lord Kerslake’s Review of GLA Group Housing Delivery in full and now look forward to redoubling our efforts to build more of the homes Londoner’s need and deserve.”

The findings and recommendations of the review were informed by representatives from across the GLA Group organisations, central government, charities and London’s development and affordable housing sectors.

Lord Kerslake commented: “There can be little argument about the essential need for more new housing and genuinely affordable housing in London. 

“I hope that my report assists in delivering the Mayor’s housing ambitions. 

“Every one of the members of the GLA Group has a part to play in this.

“This review has been done at pace but, thanks to the cooperation I have received across the group and the terrific support from the GLA, I believe it has been possible to get to the bottom of the issues and make firm recommendations.

“There is a need for stronger professional leadership, and a more unified, coherent, and streamlined approach. 

“A City Hall developer has real potential to add significant value to London’s housing sector and should be delivered over two stages.”

Since 2016, The GLA Group has started construction on more than 17,000 homes on its land.