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A talk which focuses on how people are being driven out of London because of unaffordable living costs has been branded a “joke” because of its £20 entry fee.

The event, billed Is London Dying?, debates why artists and young people are moving out of the capital because of “crazy house and rental prices”.

An advert on Facebook states: “London is booming. The city is buzzing and full of life.

“But crazy house and rental prices mean that the artists and young people can no longer afford to live here.

“As a result, we're seeing a talent drain to Berlin, Lisbon or to more affordable parts of the UK. What can be done? Has London lost its edge?"

Tickets are £20 for the talk at Conway Hall in Red Lion Square but half-price concessions are available for students, art workers, artists, writers and pensioners.

The price has prompted a backlash against hosts the Idler Academy from social media users who described the fee as “ironic” for a talk on unaffordable living.

On Facebook, Oliver Long wrote: “£20?! The price of the event confirms it... London IS dead and there IS no need to attend.

Gerry Tweedie added: “I think the cost of the ticket for this event is prohibitive for ALL Londoners and perhaps death defying! Concessions should have been/be a consideration.”

While Andrew Finch posted: “A talk on this subject and you charge £20 entry fee? What a joke.”

Basheera Khan commented: “I was about to comment on the irony of setting a £20 entry barrier to a discussion about how over-priced things are killing the soul of London.

“Then I read everyone else's comments. It's a shame that this event, which seems like it's intended as an authentic and serious talk on social regeneration, hasn't taken into consideration the context of the neighbourhood it's set in.”

Idler editor Tom Hodgkinson, who is one of four speakers due to talk at the event, admitted there was an “obvious contradiction” between the subject matter and the cost but added a standard charge was needed.

He said he realised the need for concessions when he was asked whether students will have to pay full price to attend.

He told the Standard: “The problem with the ticket price is that people feel you are excluding them which isn’t our intention at all but if you set it too low it is unsustainable.

“No one will get paid and it becomes impossible. The philosophical principle behind the £20 fee is that everyone gets paid.

“Artists need to get paid, they shouldn’t work for free and we are a micro-business. We have our own staff and costs that need to be met.

“People who can afford it will pay the £20 and those such as students and artists can pay half-price which I think is fair.”

Despite the critical comments, Mr Hodgkinson said tickets sales were “flying”.

He added: “It has made us improve what we’re offering.

“I was quite taken aback. It is the kind of the thing I might have done when I was a student and Facebook and Twitter makes it easy to vent your rage.”

The event, Is London Dying?, will take place on Monday, May 9 with Tom Hodgkinson, writer and filmmaker Iain Sinclair, Katharine Hibbert and Angus Hanton due to speak.