Category: London

The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 26 August 2021.

It has been devastating to watch the crisis unfold in Afghanistan and I’m determined to do everything in my power to support those escaping the country.

London has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those in need and by working together we can help these refugees find a welcoming home in our city.

That’s why I’m inviting borough councils to use my Right to Buy-back fund to acquire homes for refugees, as well as Londoners in housing need, and am urging housing associations to bid for funding to secure homes for these families. I will continue to call on Ministers to provide the further support needed to help them secure their long-term future in our city.

The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 23 August 2021.

Young Londoners have suffered greatly due to the devastating impact of the pandemic. As our city continues to recover, it’s important that young Londoners are not only given a chance to reflect on the impact this virus has had on their lives, but to learn more about the vital role the vaccines are playing in beating COVID-19. We must do all we can to help young people across London and to urge them to get vaccinated, and I’m proud that by supporting these community events we are giving thousands of young Londoners a chance to learn more about the lifesaving vaccines.

The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 23 August 2021.

It is vitally important that we come together to remember and honour the millions of people who suffered and died as a result of the Transatlantic slave trade, and the impact this has had on generations of Black communities here in London and worldwide. This event provides an opportunity for Londoners to reflect on how the legacy of slavery has shaped the city that we live in today, from our institutions and our industries to our public spaces. It also serves as a reminder that it is our duty to stand up and speak out against prejudice, oppression and injustice wherever this may be found.

The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 6 August 2021.

Our city has been through a lot since the disorder of summer 2011, and there is no escaping the reality that some of the complex and entrenched causes of the riots – inequality, poverty, lack of opportunity and the need for better relations between our police and London’s diverse communities – remain.

It’s crucial we tackle these challenges head on by advocating for increased funding and support to help regenerate the most deprived parts of our city. I have also made delivering better opportunities for young people in those disadvantaged neighbourhoods a cornerstone of my Mayoralty.

Young people need constructive things to do, that is why I’ve already invested in positive opportunities for more than 110,000 young Londoners, supporting them into education, training, culture and sports and diverting them away from criminal gangs and violence. I have also developed an Action Plan, in consultation with communities, to improve trust and confidence in the Metropolitan police to address concerns about the disproportionate use of certain police powers, particularly those affecting Black Londoners. But it’s clear we need to do much more.

As Mayor, I am committed to securing a better future for all Londoners and ensuring that nobody is left behind. That’s why I launched London’s biggest regeneration fund which has so far invested more than £75 million to 138 innovative regeneration projects with a strong emphasis on business support and making a difference on the ground in local communities – particularly those most impacted by the disorder.

The comments made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 27 July 2021.

Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe. Londoners have a right to expect us to be prepared for any potential attack on our city and that is why I have asked Lord Harris to undertake a fresh review into London’s preparedness.

Whilst we have made some significant improvements since 2016, a lot has changed. The attacks on our city in 2017, the Manchester Arena bombing, and more recently, the attacks in Streatham and at Fishmongers’ Hall, means there’s much more to be learned. We know extremists are set on exploiting the uncertainty and hardship caused by the pandemic for their own gain and are adapting their tactics – including using the internet during lockdown to spread disinformation as well as attempting to radicalise the vulnerable to commit violent acts.

We must adapt and strengthen our city’s capability to prepare and respond to the evolving threat of terrorism and the impact of the pandemic. Lives depend on it.

The statement made by Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, on 21 July 2021.

The shops, cafes and other businesses on London’s local high streets have been the heartbeat of our economy, but they’ve been hit incredibly hard by the COVID pandemic. As we start to recover, we need to be bold and innovative to ensure our high streets can survive as diverse, bustling centres of our capital’s economy.

I’m pleased to be able to announce new funding for projects all across the capital that are leading the way coming up with solutions for the future of our high streets. Whether it’s new ideas for shared working space, bringing old offices back into use or providing space for exciting cultural activities, these ideas will stimulate economic activity and also enrich social and cultural life in our local communities.

I’m doing all I can to encourage Londoners to safely return to our high streets, but these ongoing partnerships with councils and businesses across the capital will be vital for guaranteeing their future growth and prosperity.