Five thousand businesses in the City of London are to be enfranchised in local elections. They will join the 11, 000 sole traders and partnerships that have the vote already. There are only 6000 City residents entitled to vote.
Small businesses will have one vote. Those with 50 or more staff will be entitled to ten or more votes. In all the newly enfranchised businesses will be able to cast 15,000 votes.
The new system will come into effect with the local elections next March.