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Category: London

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Mentor for Every Young Londoner

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Mentor for Every Young Londoner

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 9 February 2022.

    I’m determined to put young people at the heart of London’s recovery efforts and I’m proud to be delivering on my manifesto pledge to give every young Londoner in need access to a dedicated mentor by 2024.

    This will not only help prevent vulnerable young Londoners from being exploited or sucked into gangs and violence, but provide a helping hand for Londoners to reach their potential.

    Working in partnership with London Councils and boroughs, community groups, the youth sector and others across our city, I’m determined to ensure that every young Londoner in need of support has the positive opportunities and role model they deserve. This will play a critical part in helping us build a safer, fairer and more prosperous city, where no-one is left behind.

  • Grant Shapps – 2022 Statement on TFL Funding Extension

    Grant Shapps – 2022 Statement on TFL Funding Extension

    The statement made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, in the House of Commons on 7 February 2022.

    Following my statement to the House on 5 January 2022, I am updating the House on an interim extension of the current Transport for London (TfL) funding settlement that was due to expire on 4 February 2022 by 2 weeks to 18 February 2022. This has been agreed by the Mayor of London.

    Since the start of the pandemic, we have supported the transport network in London with over £4.5 billion funding through extraordinary funding settlements for TfL.

    We have recognised the reliance of London’s transport network on fare revenue and government continues our commitment to mitigating loss of fare revenue because of the pandemic.

    Government is committed to supporting London’s transport network as we have since the start of the pandemic and is in discussions with TfL on a fourth funding settlement.

    This short extension will enable us to finalise the terms of a robust settlement for this period, ensuring TfL and the Mayor take steps to move towards financial sustainability.

    In this extension, government will continue to ensure the provisions of the existing agreement are delivered while providing continued certainty to Londoners as we move out of Plan B restrictions.

    Support to TfL has always been on the condition that TfL reaches financial sustainability as soon as possible and with a target date of April 2023, and government continues to press the Mayor of London and TfL to take the decisions needed to put the organisation on a sustainable footing.

    I will update the House at my earliest opportunity on the details of the fourth funding settlement.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on the Service Charges Charter in London

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on the Service Charges Charter in London

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 21 January 2022.

    Shared ownership properties can be a helpful first rung on the housing ladder for Londoners. However, too many homeowners have faced a confusing set of fees and charges. Where service charges are incorrectly administered, leaseholders are often drawn into a time-consuming process to challenge.

    Our new Service Charges Charter will help shared owners have a better experience of home ownership, reducing stress and worry. Housing providers also recognise the benefits that following Charter can bring – leading to more efficient services, and a reduction in complaints.

    I’m proud to have hit every single one of my delivery targets in the current Homes for Londoners: Affordable Homes Programme 2016-2023 and I’m determined to continue leading by example, by doing everything I can within my powers to help leaseholders and improve the shared ownership experience for Londoners.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Tourism in London

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Tourism in London

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 20 January 2022.

    The data I am releasing today really underlines just how devastating the drop in tourism in the capital has been – and will continue to be – for years to come.

    It is obvious that many of London’s hospitality, retail, cultural and leisure businesses that rely heavily on tourists will be fighting for their survival for months to come, meaning many thousands of jobs are still at risk.

    I have committed to doing everything I can to support London’s economic recovery now, and in the years to come. But the stark reality is that these sectors won’t be able to sustain pre-pandemic levels of employment until tourists return in significant numbers.

    That’s why I am urging Government to take meaningful action to prevent widespread job losses and the financial hardship this will bring for Londoners, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on a Hillsborough Law

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on a Hillsborough Law

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 12 January 2022.

    London stands in solidarity with all the families who lost loved ones at Hillsborough. Despite promises of change, bereaved families are still going through the trauma the Hillsborough families had to endure at the hands of the legal system. From the Grenfell Tower tragedy to the Manchester Arena attack – ordinary families are having to fight tooth and nail to get the justice they deserve.

    We must do everything we can to prevent the experience of the Hillsborough families from being repeated. For all those seeking answers about the deaths of their loved ones, and to ensure our legal system treats everyone equally and with respect, I call on the Government to commit to bringing forward a Hillsborough Law – now.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Temporary Visas for Construction Workers

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on Temporary Visas for Construction Workers

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 13 January 2022.

    Tackling London’s housing crisis has always been one of my top priorities since becoming Mayor. We’ve worked tirelessly over the last five years to get London building again, and the construction sector forms a key part of London’s Covid recovery plan. However, both our recovery and efforts to deliver the genuinely affordable homes Londoners desperately need could now be put at risk if there isn’t the skilled workforce available to build them.

    The Government must look beyond their current blinkered approach to immigration and recognise the impending crisis that is already enveloping one of our most vital industries.

    Training our own people to take on jobs in the construction sector is an admirable aim and one we’re working hard to meet but in the meantime, we need skilled tradespeople on site now to manage the short-term crisis and build a strong recovery.

  • Grant Shapps – 2022 Statement on TFL Funding Extension

    Grant Shapps – 2022 Statement on TFL Funding Extension

    The statement made by Grant Shapps, the Secretary of State for Transport, on 5 January 2022.

    Following my statement to the House on 13 December 2021, I am updating the House on a 7 week extension of the current Transport for London funding settlement that was due to expire on 17 December 2021. The Mayor of London and I have agreed to extend the current settlement to 4 February 2022.

    We have thus far supported London with over £4 billion funding and these extraordinary funding settlements for Transport for London recognise the reliance of London’s transport network on fare revenue, and government’s commitment now and in the future to mitigating loss of fare revenue because of the pandemic. This extension has provided certainty to Transport for London and to Londoners over the Christmas and New Year period whilst also allowing government and Transport for London to monitor and adapt to the impact of the Omicron variant of the virus.

    The extended settlement will continue to support the capital and its transport network – on the same terms as previously agreed – until 4 February 2022, when government expects there to be a new funding settlement in place. The extension letter also includes amendments to the current settlement relating to fares and the Hammersmith bridge ferry.

    On 15 December 2021, the Department for Transport received further information and specificity from the Mayor of London relating to his proposals, set out in his letter of 8 December 2021, to raise new income of between £0.5 billion and £1 billion in line with the commitment agreed under the June 2021 emergency settlement. The original deadline for this information was 12 November 2021. Following receipt of the Mayor of London’s 15 December 2021 letter, the government is satisfied that at this stage he has provided sufficient information on his proposals. We have therefore agreed to extend the current Transport for London settlement from 17 December 2021 to 4 February 2022 so that government is able to fully consider these proposals.

    The government is committed to supporting London and the transport network on which it depends, whilst balancing that with supporting the national transport network as a whole.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on the Unvaccinated

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Comments on the Unvaccinated

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 3 January 2022.

    A message to those who are yet to have the COVID-19 vaccine:

    It’s not too late to change your mind, and you will not be judged. There are hundreds of places across the city where you can get your first dose at a time that suits you.

    Get protected. Get vaccinated.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2022 Statement on Murder of Teenagers in London

    Sadiq Khan – 2022 Statement on Murder of Teenagers in London

    The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 1 January 2022.

    I am truly devastated by the deaths of a 15-year-old boy in Croydon and a 16-year-old boy in Hillingdon. Senseless violence has once again resulted in the loss of two young men with their lives in front of them and my thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families, friends and communities at this awful time.

    I continue to remain in close contact with the Met Police who are doing everything possible to bring those responsible for these killings to justice. Anyone with information should contact the police or Crimestoppers anonymously. There is absolutely no honour in staying silent.

    The safety of Londoners will always be my number one priority. That is why I’m determined to continue leading from the front by being tough on crime – investing record amounts in policing to put more officers on the streets – and tough on its complex causes, with plans in place to deliver positive opportunities to almost 100,000 young Londoners over the course of the next year, helping to divert them away from violence by providing them with tailored support at key moments in their lives.

    Since before the pandemic, the level of knife crime and youth violence in London has been decreasing meaning fewer violent attacks, fewer victims in hospital and fewer young offenders. Sadly, due to the increasing ferocity of the attacks, this hasn’t yet translated to fewer teenage homicides. I refuse to accept that the loss of young lives is inevitable and will continue to be relentless in taking the bold action needed to put an end to violence in our city.

  • Sadiq Khan – 2021 Comments on Reducing Crime in London

    Sadiq Khan – 2021 Comments on Reducing Crime in London

    The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 29 December 2021.

    Tackling violence and making our communities safer is my top priority. Over the past four years and before the pandemic we’ve seen youth violence, knife crime and gun crime come down, but it’s clear that there is much more to do. Every death from violent crime is heart-breaking, devastating families and communities.

    We know the challenges of the pandemic have exacerbated the causes of crime and violence and that’s why this investment is so important and so timely. This new funding package of almost £50 million will provide dedicated funding for local authorities now and allow them to work together to tackle complex problems across borough boundaries and support local communities to tackle violence and reduce offending where they are.

    I am more determined than ever to be tough on crime by investing in our police – ensuring record numbers of officers on our streets, as well as being tough on the causes of crime by providing sustained investment to deliver positive opportunities for young Londoners who need it most.