A think tank has accused policymakers of ‘anti-London sentiment’ and urged Whitehall to do more to include the capital in the levelling up agenda.

A new report from the Centre for London has highlighted the number of ways in which London contributes to the wider UK economy, including generating £640m in spending by tourists across the country each year.

The think tank also stressed the important role played by the capital in kickstarting innovations in public transport such as contactless payment.

As part of the research, Centre for London ran focus groups with research partners Savanta ComRes and Toynbee Hall exploring how Londoners and other people in England felt about the capital’s residents.

The research found that both groups agreed that issues such as the cost of living, high pollution and crime, were negative aspects of life in the city, but that its diversity and culture were good things. There was also a consensus that London is a place of opportunity, as well as a place of pride in representing the UK abroad.

The think tank also learnt that those living outside London did not generally feel animosity towards Londoners or blame them for economic unfairness within the country.

The report argued that economic development does not need to be a ‘zero-sum game’ where London has to lose in order for other parts of the country to gain.

Claire Harding, research director, Centre for London urged policymakers to avoid divisive rhetoric and to include London in the levelling up agenda.

‘Levelling up could help everyone in the UK, but only if it is done properly. It must not be seen as an opportunity to create divisions between places or simply reduce London’s funding, which is not a strategy that the public want and would only threaten the economy,’ she said.

‘London’s contribution has always been vital to the UK, ranging from a hub of world-class education, research and arts, to a place of pride representing the country on the global stage. We hope this report will convince policymakers to continue making the case for the city.’

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: ‘London is the engine of the UK economy. When the capital succeeds our whole country benefits – and vice-versa.

‘I welcome the publication of this report which highlights the enormous economic, cultural and social contribution that London makes to the UK.’