Category: Press Releases

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 22 February 2023.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan today announced a new panel of innovative and diverse built environment specialists to support his mission to build a better London for everyone.

The new Architecture and Urbanism (A+U) Framework provides a diverse, pre-approved panel of built environment consultants, making it quicker and easier for organisations like councils and housing associations to commission high quality expertise for certain types of public sector projects in London.

The A+U Framework can be used by the Greater London Authority Group and other public sector commissioning authorities to appoint high-quality architectural, place making and urban planning design services for a range of built environment projects. It is organised into 10 different categories of work to ensure high standards at every stage of the design process. [1]

It replaces the Architecture Design and Urbanism Panel 2 (ADUP2), first established in 2018. Over its four years the ADUP2 was used by 45 public organisations a total of 163 times to procure over £45m worth of professional services. Of this, approximately £10.3m is from the Greater London Authority Group, with the remaining spend from London boroughs and other public sector organisations.

Following successful completion of the procurement process, which saw 578 submissions from 273 suppliers, the final 96 places on the new Framework have now been awarded to 65 suppliers.

More than half (57 per cent) of places on the Framework have been awarded to ‘diverse-led’ enterprises, meaning at least half of their executive leadership identifies as female, Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, disabled and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community. [2]

All successful suppliers were assessed across a two-stage procurement process to ensure their suitability to meet the aims of the Framework. This includes:

• Responding to the inequalities highlighted by the pandemic and supporting and shaping a sustainable and equitable recovery;
• Responding to the climate crisis and designing for net-zero;
• Supporting London’s economic recovery;
• The creation of social value and developing inclusive design approaches that champion participation, co-production and meaningful community engagement.

The Deputy Mayor for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe, said: “The launch of the new Architecture and Urbanism Framework is an important step towards London’s recovery from the pandemic and the creation of a better, greener, more sustainable London for all.

“It’s crucial that those involved in the transformation of London are representative of all who live here, which is why the Mayor and I are pleased to see such a diverse range of practitioners with high quality skills and experience being awarded places on the Framework.

“We look forward to seeing how this new cohort of suppliers apply their world-class expertise to support public sector clients deliver the low-carbon, sustainable and inclusive recovery that London needs.”

Kyle Buchanan and Mellis Haward, Directors of Archio, said: “The GLA’s A+U Framework is a great opportunity for London, providing public bodies with access to new thinking from emerging talent, while maintaining a strong focus on design quality, social value and sustainability. We’re really pleased to have been awarded places on the Lots for Housing and Station Site development, particularly as the latter is often reserved for much bigger practices. At Archio our focus is community-led design, and we are looking forward to bringing that expertise to the framework and to the opportunities afforded by this new process.”

Al Scott, Sarah Castle and Thomas Bryans, Directors of IF_DO, said: “IF_DO was a very new practice when the first ADUP panel launched and, in many ways, it helped guide us as we’ve grown. We’ve admired the practices and projects that have come through previous versions of the framework, and our business and operations have been influenced by that context.

“The deep skillsets we’ve developed in consultation, co-design, sustainability and the circular economy, respond to the high aspirations set by the GLA, and we’re delighted to qualify for two lots on the new A+U framework. We’re looking forward to the opportunity to work closely with communities throughout London to deliver socially and environmentally sustainable projects that help create a better city for all.”

Jonathan Hagos and Tom Bell, Directors of Freehaus, said: “We are delighted to have secured a place on the GLA/TFL’s Architecture and Urbanism framework, which builds upon our practice’s successful delivery of projects across London that reflect the Mayor’s Good Growth by Design principles. We hope that a place on the framework will increase momentum to the growth and agency of our practice and give us an opportunity to work with local communities and organisations to help shape this city.”

Paul Karakusevic, Director of Karakusevic Carson Architects which leads a consortium of smaller diverse-led practices including K Bava Architects, Office Sian, Pedder & Scampton Architects, Sahra Hersi and Saya Hakamata, said: “We are delighted to have been selected onto two panels for the new A+U Framework. We understand how competitive the process was, and so it is an honour to be chosen for the panel again. Where possible, we always are keen to collaborate with other architects and designers with similar interests and shared ethos for quality design and social purpose. We have therefore assembled a brilliant team to work with over the next four years who will contribute new ideas and expertise which London will benefit from.

“I understand the challenges and complexities of establishing and maintaining a small practice, and the opportunities that come through the A+U panel will help these designers/architects gain experience which will be very valuable. As a practice focused almost entirely on public sector projects, the GLA/TFL A+U panel has been instrumental in the development of our studio and the projects we undertake. We see it as our responsibility to help the next generation of architects work on public projects and to pass on the knowledge and skills we have gained to ensure the most talented people are shaping our city.

“Despite the wider financial pressures and economic uncertainties, the public sector and local authorities in London have the knowledge and skills to invest in our existing housing and infrastructure and build the homes and public buildings the city desperately needs. The new A+U panel will allow local authorities access to a new generation of committed practices who will help to deliver on local priorities and improve the quality of our environment, social equity and life chances for communities.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 22 February 2023.

• London’s annual celebration of Irish culture and heritage will return on 12th March
• More than 50,000 people expected to join spectacular procession and parade of Irish marching bands, dancers and pageantry through the heart of London
• Trafalgar Square set to host free family-friendly events showcasing the very best of Irish arts, performance, culture, food and dance

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations will return on Sunday, 12^th March with a host of events celebrating Irish culture and heritage in the heart of the capital.

The festivities will kick off at 12pm with a spectacular parade of Irish marching bands, dancers and pageantry.

More than 50,000 people are expected to join the annual procession which will wind its way through the centre of London from Green Park through Piccadilly Circus to Trafalgar Square.

From 12-6pm, Trafalgar Square will once again be showcasing the very best of Irish arts, performance, culture, food and dance with Masterchef champion Riyadh Khalaf compering an exciting line up.

Londoners and visitors can look forward to a free afternoon of entertainment with music from Sharon Shannon & Band, Celaviedmai, The Craicheads, Celtic Youth Orchestra, Biblecode Sunday’s, and AIS. There will also be performances from Maguire O’Shea School of Dance and spoken word artist Leon Dunne, as well as family-friendly workshops run by Irish youth creative programme Junk Kouture, and a great selection of food and drinks stalls.

The Irish Cultural Centre, London Irish Centre, Irish in Britain, Irish Film London and London Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) will also have stalls where those attending can learn about Irish culture and find out about community events in the capital.

Celebrity chef Anna Haugh will be returning to demonstrate how you can create delicious Irish cuisine at home using fresh produce.

The Mayor is encouraging Londoners and visitors to enjoy the very best of Irish arts, performance, food and dance – a true highlight in London’s calendar – and the celebrations aren’t limited to Trafalgar Square with events happening across London all weekend, from busking on the Underground to a St Patrick’s film festival organised by Irish Film London.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations are a real highlight of our city’s cultural calendar and a symbol of the strength of the relationship between the UK and Ireland.

“London has the largest Irish community in the UK, and for centuries Irish Londoners have made an enormous contribution to the success of our capital city. From running successful businesses and supporting public services, to the huge influence on our arts and cultural scene, Irish Londoners are integral to the fabric of our city.

“I’m delighted that Londoners and visitors will again unite on the streets in honour of this relationship as we celebrate Irish culture and heritage in the heart of our capital, and with events happening across our city there is something for everyone to enjoy.”

Ireland’s Ambassador to the UK, Martin Fraser, said: “In my short time as Ambassador, I have witnessed the strength, cohesion and kinship of the Irish community here in London and across the country. The challenges of the last few years have proved the resilience of our community, but also shown the ways that we have come together in solidarity. This year’s St Patrick’s Day Festival in London will be a fantastic celebration of the love that London has for its Irish Community and that the Irish have for London. I encourage you to participate and look forward to a wonderful Festival.”

Tourism Ireland’s Deputy Head of Great Britain, Judith Cassidy, said: “We’re gearing up for a wonderful St Patrick’s Day Festival in London and can’t wait to celebrate with everyone in Trafalgar Square on the 12^th March. Now in its 20th year, the festival is a vibrant celebration of Irish arts, culture, food and community and has become an absolute staple in London’s cultural calendar. This year is particularly exciting, with the launch of our new tourism campaign on St Patrick’s Day, watch this space! We hope the day will give festival-goers a true taste of the island of Ireland’s rich cultural offering, one of the one of the many reasons prospective GB visitors should consider Ireland for their next short break or holiday.”

Head of Arts & Culture at The London Irish Centre, Hannah Pender, said: “The London Irish Centre are delighted to be Programme Partner for the London St Patrick’s Festival 2023 for another year. This special event acknowledges and celebrates the contribution of Irish communities to London, and we are proud to be part of this story. We will be bringing a diverse programme of Irish arts and culture to the iconic Trafalgar Square, and celebrate the creativity and vibrancy of the Irish community in London. We want to thank the Mayor of London and London Authority for working with us. We also want to give a special thanks to the Gallagher Group for their support as Stage Sponsor.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 20 February 2023.

• Mayor proposes to provide one-off £130m to ensure all primary schoolchildren in the capital can receive free school meals for the 2023/2024 academic year
• Emergency funding would help around 270,000 primary school children and save families in London around £440 per child across the year
• Given lack of Government help, Mayor steps in to support families for the next year due to the impact of the spiralling cost of living

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced an historic £130m emergency scheme to help families with the spiralling cost of living by ensuring that every primary schoolchild in London will receive free school meals in the next academic year.

The Mayor is stepping in with the one-off proposal to ensure that healthy free school meals are universally available to all primary school pupils for one year from September due to the extreme pressures currently facing households across the capital.

The unprecedented move will help around 270,000 primary school children and save families around £440 per child across the year.

Sadiq – who received free school meals as a child – has repeatedly called on the Government to make the meals available to all as research has shown that hundreds of thousands of schoolchildren live in poverty but do not receive them due to the Government’s restrictive eligibility criteria and lack of universal provision. Currently a household on universal credit must earn less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including benefits), regardless of the number of children in the family, to be eligible. This means that many children from working families in poverty aren’t entitled to free school meals.

Given the Government’s inaction, and the soaring cost of living hitting London’s families particularly hard, the Mayor has now proposed a plan to make the meals available – on a universal basis – to all of the capital’s primary schoolchildren for one full school year.

As well as saving families hundreds of pounds per child, making free school meals available to all helps reduce the stigma that can be associated with being singled out as low income, therefore boosting take-up among families who need them most. The meals are also good for children’s health as they may be the child’s main source of hot, nutritious food. By ensuring they don’t go hungry, children are better equipped to learn.

Sadiq made the announcement of the emergency funding today as he visited his old school Fircroft Primary, in Tooting. This is one-off funding from additional business rates income. Sadiq is clear that he is only able to provide help that should be coming from the Government for one year.

This landmark intervention is the latest in a long line of commitments from the Mayor to help Londoners navigate the cost of living crisis. As well as investing £3.46bn into building the genuinely affordable homes Londoners need, the Mayor is currently spending more than £80m to help those struggling with the rising cost of living, including more than £50m to tackle fuel poverty through the Mayor’s Warmer Homes programme and energy advice services, more than £20m to improve security for private renters and house Londoners who are rough sleeping or homeless, more than £5m to connect Londoners with welfare advice, and £400,000 to tackle food insecurity. He is spending £400m on skills and employment programmes to support Londoners to find more secure work.

The Mayor is determined to make London the best place to grow up and has committed to supporting young Londoners and has invested £70m over three years through the Young Londoners Fund which created positive opportunities for over 140,000 disadvantaged young Londoners and has so far invested over £7m in providing quality mentoring opportunities to 30,000 disadvantaged young people through the New Deal for Young People, on course to reach 100,000 by end of 2024. He has also protected free travel for under 18s when the Government withdrew funding, and partnered with The London Marathon Charitable Trust and Sport England, and strategic partners London Sport and London Marathon Events to launch a £17m fund to support underserved young Londoners through the power of sport and physical activity, and helped introduce more than 500 School Streets to help reduce toxic air pollution, carbon emissions and road danger for young children.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The cost of living crisis means families and children across our city are in desperate need of additional support. I have repeatedly urged the Government to provide free school meals to help already stretched families, but they have simply failed to act.

“This is why I’m stepping forward with an emergency £130m scheme that will ensure every single primary pupil in the capital receives free school meals. This will save families hundreds of pounds over the year, ensuring parents aren’t worrying about how they’re going to feed their children. It will also guarantee every primary school student a healthy, nutritious meal – meaning they don’t go hungry in the classroom and can better concentrate on their studies.

“I know from personal experience that free school meals are a lifeline. My siblings and I depended on them to eat while at school and my parents relied on them to give our family a little extra breathing room financially. The difference they can make to children who are at risk of going hungry – and to families who are struggling to make ends meet – is truly game-changing.

“Supporting London’s families through this cost of living crisis and helping ensure our children are properly fed is vital as we continue striving to build a better London for everyone – a city that is fairer, safer and more prosperous for all.”

The Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, said: “London’s children face some of the highest levels of deprivation anywhere in the country. We cannot consider ourselves a modern and progressive society if the most vulnerable among us are forced to go without basic food and nourishment. School should be a place where children can learn and grow; not worry about where their next hot meal is going to come from. As Londoners continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis, the prospect of saving hundreds of pounds will be welcome news to the capital’s families.”

Chef Tom Kerridge said: “All children deserve access to healthy, nutritious food and, at a particularly difficult time for many households and families, I’m pleased to lend my support to the Mayor’s initiative to ensure every primary school child in London has access to free school meals.”

Victoria Benson, CE of Gingerbread, the single parent charity, said: “The cost of living crisis has been brutal for single parents and has meant that children have gone without basic essentials because household budgets have been stretched beyond breaking point. We have heard from so many single parents that they have simply been unable to afford the huge price increases which we have seen over the past year with the result that many of them, or their children, have had to go without food.  It will be a huge relief to many parents that their child will now be fed at school and we welcome the Mayor’s free school meals initiative and hope it will mean fewer children in London will experience hunger.”

Anna Taylor, Executive Director, The Food Foundation, said: “We applaud London’s Mayor for taking timely action to support families fighting the cost of living by ensuring every primary school pupil gets a nutritious lunch, no matter their background. This is a monumental step forward for safeguarding children’s diets, well-being and learning across the capital. However, outside of London, hundreds of thousands of children living in poverty still don’t qualify for a Free School Meal. Central Government must now honour its levelling up commitment by investing in Free School Meal expansion for every community in the upcoming budget. We know this policy has resounding support in every corner of the UK.”

Barbara Crowther of the Children’s Food Campaign said: “This is utterly delicious news! We applaud the Mayor for announcing this vital nutritional safety net for every single primary school child in London for the coming academic year. We know a healthy meal is fuel for both brain and body, so that our children can concentrate, play and learn.

“However, healthy school food for all must not just be an emergency measure, it should be a core part of a fully inclusive education system for the long term. It would be a sound investment, as research shows that every £1 invested in healthy school meals could deliver £1.71 in increased educational outcomes, better health and longer-term economic benefits. So our national Government also needs to step up and make school food for all a permanent part of our education system and the future prosperity of the nation.”

Kevin Courtney, Joint Gen Sec, National Education Union, said: “This announcement is a much-needed lifeline families experiencing hardship following a decade of economic mismanagement from the Government. Poverty has a profound impact on students’ attainment and educational outcomes, and the cost-of-living crisis is leading to a devastating fall in living standards for millions, forcing more families into poverty and hardship.

“Free school meals must be a central part of any attempt to raise attainment, particularly for the least well-off, and make society fairer for everyone. The best way to achieve this is by offering free school meals to every child in primary school. Children who have access to a healthy, hot meal, every day, are better able to focus, connect with their peers and build bright futures. Making this access universal removes the stigma and ensures all children get the support they need to thrive.

“The Mayor’s announcement will help families to navigate the cost-of-living crisis, will ensure that all children are fed during the school day, and will allow schools to best support their communities. The Government must now end its inaction and commit to funding free school meals for all in primary across the rest of the country, and long term.”

Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of The Felix Project, said: “We know the need among parents is incredibly high, The Felix Project provides over 170 primary schools with surplus food and we currently have more than 130 on our waiting list. The school food banks are a huge help to parents, particularly for those who do not qualify for free school meals but are still really struggling with the high costs of feeding their children throughout the day. We welcome this scheme and the positive impact it will have on both parents’ finances and the children themselves.”

Matthew Bolton, Executive Director of Citizens UK said: “This will be welcomed as fantastic news by tens of thousands of Londoners suffering in this cost of living crisis and the 100 schools involved in London Citizens. We know from our campaign to ensure free school meals to students whose parents are subject to No Recourse to Public Funds, that vulnerable people fall through the net of the current system and children go hungry. This change will ensure all children in London get that hot meal they need and that there is no additional stigma attached to the injustice of low income.”

Luke Bridges, Headteacher, All Saints Primary School, London Citizens said: “This is great news for London schools. A nutritious school meal ensures children are healthy and ready for learning. Children and families will be delighted to hear that school meals will be funded for all primary pupils. It will help combat both a health problem and the cost of living crisis.”

Stephanie Slater, Founder/Chief Executive of School Food Matters, said: “This wonderful news will bring relief to millions of families and schools across London. Too many children have been missing out on the nutrition they need to thrive, due to restrictive eligibility criteria and an onerous application process. Thanks to the vision of London’s Mayor, from September every primary school child in the capital will have a hot, healthy school meal.

“Universal provision has been shown to improve children’s health and attainment, as well as reducing inequalities, putting money back into families’ pockets and boosting the economy. We hope the government will follow London’s lead and expand free school meals to more children nationwide, but for now three cheers for the Mayor!”

Dame Emma Thompson said: “This initiative could not be more welcome or more timely. The fact that it is needed at all is testament to the damaging policies of the last 20 years. It is therefore essential that during this year we fight for the right of our children to a proper meal at school, un-stigmatised by the free school meals label which causes so much distress.”

Cllr Claire Holland, Leader of Lambeth Council said: “The cost of living crisis is hitting families hard. Londoners are struggling to make ends meet with many skipping meals and choosing between eating or heating their homes.

“In response to the cost of living crisis, Labour councils in London have been calling for long term funding from the government for universal free school meals to ensure no child goes hungry. Providing children with healthy free school meals not only alleviates financial pressures on families but also enables children to learn and thrive.

“Today’s commitment from the Mayor of London to fund meals for the next year is a welcome one which will go towards relieving pressure on families already struggling with rising costs. However, in order to provide reassurance to families it is critical that the government commit to provide long term funding to ensure no child goes hungry.”

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council said: “As one of the first councils to guarantee a hot, nutritious meal at lunchtime for all primary school children, we know how life-changing they are. The Mayor’s pledge to extend them to all primary children across London for the next year will be a lifeline for families who are being hit hard by the cost of living crisis.

“We introduced them in Southwark because we saw how many children were falling through the gaps and the toll it was having on their learning and health. It’s been a huge success, reducing obesity levels among our young people, helping them engage in learning, and boosting academic performance. We will be using the opportunity of this investment from the Mayor of London to tackle hunger in our secondary schools.

“What the Government needs to do is all too clear: extend free school meals to all primary school children, like we have done in Southwark and the Mayor plans to do across London.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 15 February 2023.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Today marks the 10^th anniversary of the tragic death of nine-year-old Londoner Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah. Ella was a bright, happy, energetic schoolgirl who dreamed of becoming an air ambulance doctor, but whose life was cruelly cut short by an invisible killer – our toxic air. While Ella is exceptional in being the only person with air pollution listed as a cause of death on her death certificate, she is sadly not alone in having suffered the terrible effects of toxic air. Across our city today children are being poisoned and lives are being blighted because the air we breathe every day isn’t as safe as it should be.

The science shows air pollution is causing young Londoners to grow-up with stunted lungs, it’s triggering a host of debilitating illnesses – from lung cancer and heart disease, to asthma and dementia – and it’s leading to the premature deaths of around 4,000 people in our capital every year. We also know that it’s minority communities and the poorest Londoners, who are least likely to own a car, who are being hit hardest.

The horrific ongoing impact of air pollution on London’s children weighed heavily on my thinking when I took the decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide later this year. Of course, during difficult economic times this was a decision I wrestled with. But we simply cannot ignore the human cost of ditching or delaying this expansion. How many more Londoners can afford to have their lungs irreparably damaged by air pollution? How many more young children are we willing to let inhale tiny toxic particles? How many more families – like Rosamund’s – must know the pain and anguish of losing a loved one before we do something?

As Mayor, I’m not prepared to have on my conscience the early death or life-limiting illness of another Londoner when such an outcome is preventable. The air we breathe should sustain us, not suffocate us or make us sick. Those who are trying to block further action to clean up our air are no different from those in the past who argued against measures to protect children from tobacco smoke and to those delaying action on climate change. Some opponents to the ULEZ expansion deny the science around air quality just like some did around smoking and climate change.

Ella’s memory, and the tireless work of her mother Rosamund, motivates me to continue doing everything I possibly can to clean up London’s air and I will not rest until that aspiration has become a reality. No one should go through the devasting loss that Ella’s family went through. At the very least, we owe it to them to put public health before political expediency and to make sure we do not condemn another generation of London’s children to a lifetime of pollution and ill-health. That can and must be Ella’s legacy.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 15 February 2023.

• New City Hall funding will help tackle drug supply lines, expand the work of the Mayor’s Violence Reduction Unit and provide further training to leaders and line managers in the Met
• New funding is part of the Mayor’s commitment to tackling violence in the capital and raising standards in the Met

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced proposals to invest a further £8.5m as part of his commitment to tackle violence in the capital and help raise standards in the Met Police.

Sadiq is proposing to allocate the additional funding to the Met and Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime to help tackle drug supply lines, provide further training to leaders and line managers in the Met, and boost the work of his Violence Reduction Unit in an approach to tackling violence that is rooted in prevention and early intervention.

The funding plan has been announced as the Mayor publishes his final draft budget for the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group for 2023-24 and takes into account that council tax and business rates returns from local authorities are higher than were forecast in the Mayor’s draft Budget proposals in January.

The funding includes:

• £2.25m to further support work to tackle drug-related crime and harms, divert more drug users into treatment and rehabilitation, and safeguard young Londoners vulnerable to exploitation by drugs gangs.
• £1.5m for London’s Violence Reduction Unit to further support young people, grassroots organisations and communities to create innovative initiatives and ideas to tackle violence in their neighbourhoods.
• £1.5m for London’s Violence Reduction Unit to extend the IRIS programme offer in seven boroughs. The programme offers training for doctors and healthcare professionals to boost their abilities in identifying the signs of domestic violence and offering earlier help to victims.
• £3.3m to further support the new Commissioner’s drive for higher standards in the Met. The Mayor is now proposing to invest a total of £15m in measures to raise standards and reform the culture of the Met, including a new Leadership Academy which will provide enhanced training for Met leaders and line managers, strengthening their capability to ensure the high standards expected by policing and the public are achieved.

Today’s announcement follows a package of new funding for policing that was announced by the Mayor last month as part his draft budget. That includes £14.2m to raise standards, improve performance and rebuild the trust and confidence of all of London’s communities in the Met Police service and further investments in policing raised from a proposed increase in the council tax precept. The £29.3m raised by this proposed increase will also fund 500 additional Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) to work in local neighbourhoods disproportionately impacted by crime; and support other work to tackle violence and drugs in the city.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m committed to doing all I can to tackle violent crime and to make our city safer, and I’m proud to have invested record sums from City Hall to support the work of the police. We are seeing real progress with serious violence down in our capital since 2016, bucking the national trend, and a new Commissioner introducing vital reforms to the Met – but there is much more to do.

“This new City Hall funding will help to build on our work to tackle crime, further supporting my Violence Reduction Unit in tackling the complex causes of violence, creating more opportunities for young people and assisting the Commissioner in his urgent work to transform the culture of the Met.

“The safety of Londoners is my top priority, and this funding is another example of my commitment to building a safer London for everyone.”

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “Last year, murders in London were down by 17 per cent, with 111 deaths compared to 131 in 2021. This means 20 fewer families suffered the unimaginable grief of losing a loved one to violence than in 2021. Importantly too, we have seen the number of teenage murder victims halved in our city last year compared to 2021. While the population of London continues to rise, the murder rate has fallen by half from a record high in 2003 of 222 murders.

“At the Met we are finding new ways to tackle violence, we have already made great progress closing in on London’s worst and most prolific offenders. Violence is rarely carried out in isolation – drugs gangs exploit the vulnerable and use violence to intimidate and sexually exploit others. As part of a new initiative called Operation Yamata, we have arrested more than 140 people for drug supply offences, charging 96 per cent of them with 393 drug trafficking charges – dismantling their criminal operations and taking over 60 weapons and £280,000 cash off the streets. 88 per cent of those we’ve charged under Yamata have been previously arrested for violence offences. Our Yamata Teams have already dismantled over 200 city lines in London. Yamata builds on the successes of our Op Orochi County Lines Taskforce, who this year have dismantled 525 County Lines, arresting 595 offenders and charging 87 per cent of them. 25 of those offenders charged by Orochi for drugs trafficking offences this financial year had been previously arrested for homicide.

“Every murder, and every violent act, is one too many, so our work continues at pace.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 13 February 2023.

• Affordable housing starts in London up more than 50 per cent on 2021/22
• 900 more affordable homes were completed in the financial year to December 2022 than in same period last year
• Strong delivery comes despite huge challenges for the construction sector, with spiralling inflation, supply chain disruption and an anticipated downturn in the property market

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has thanked the capital’s councils and housing associations for delivering another impressive increase in affordable homes starts, despite an unprecedented range of economic challenges.

New figures from City Hall released today show that 3,698 homes funded through the Mayor’s Affordable Homes Programme were started from September to December 2022. These took the total number of starts for the financial year to date to 6,877. This is a more than 50 per cent increase on the total number of homes built by this point last year when Sadiq went on to achieve the highest number of starts since City Hall records began.

5,360 genuinely affordable homes were also completed in the year to the end of December, nearly 900 more than in the same period last year.

These impressive figures have been delivered despite the ongoing disruption and delays caused to the construction industry by the combined effects of the pandemic, Brexit, and the invasion of Ukraine, which have disrupted supply chains, resulted in a labour shortage and led to soaring construction costs. Government data shows that the cost of construction materials rose by 11 per cent between December 2021-2022, and are up 42 per cent since January 2020. The Government’s ‘mini budget’ last Autumn also contributed to higher mortgage costs, dampening buyer demand for new-build homes.

Homebuilding statistics are always back-weighted with an increased number of starts in the spring. To be ahead of last year’s record-breaking totals at this stage is a testament to the hard work and dedication of London’s councils and housing associations buying into the Mayor’s ambitious vision to deliver the homes Londoners so desperately need. The building of genuinely affordable homes is now underway across London with every borough reporting new starts in the last financial year.

These latest figures are part of a huge increase in council and affordable housebuilding under Sadiq Khan. Council homebuilding last year hit the highest level since the 1970s, and overall affordable housebuilding was more than double the level achieved in the previous Mayor’s final year. Nearly 10,000 homes started in the previous financial year are at social rent levels – the highest annual figure in the last decade.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “Despite strong economic and political  headwinds battering the construction sector, we are once again showing that we can and will put Londoners first by building the genuinely affordable homes they so desperately need.

“Since I became Mayor, council homebuilding in London has hit its highest levels since the 1970s and overall affordable housebuilding is at the highest level since City Hall records began.

“I would like to thank London’s councils, housing associations and our capital’s wider housing sector for their efforts in helping us to continue building a better, fairer London for everyone.

“However, in order to continue making progress the Government must now provide the additional funding we need to safeguard housing delivery in the capital.”

 Geeta Nanda OBE, G15 Chair and Chief Executive of MTVH, said: “Not-for-profit housing associations are working hard to deliver the genuinely affordable homes London needs, alongside investing around £1billion each year in the existing homes we provide. The latest figures on the delivery of new homes are a testament to the commitment we have to tackling the housing crisis, and the strong partnerships we rely on with the Mayor and local authorities across the city.

“There is no doubting the massive challenges providers face, such as rising costs and challenges like building safety. That’s why it’s important that the government continues to support the building of much-needed genuinely affordable homes in London, and across the country.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 10 February 2023.

·       Major new report shows that harmful pollution emissions have reduced by 26 per cent within the expanded ULEZ area – compared with what they would have been without the ULEZ coming into force.

·       Report shows that the ULEZ has reduced harmful pollution levels in central London by nearly half compared to what they would have been without the ULEZ.

·       In inner London, pollution levels are 21 per cent lower than they would have been without the ULEZ

·       Each day, 74,000 fewer polluting vehicles are seen driving in the zone, a cut of 60 per cent since expansion in October 2021.

·       Thanks to the ULEZ expansion to inner London, over four million people now breathe cleaner air, including children in 1,362 schools.

The first year of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion to inner London has achieved a dramatic reduction in emissions and air pollution, and a huge increase in the share of vehicles that meet the ULEZ standards, according to a major new report from City Hall and peer reviewed by Dr Gary Fuller at Imperial College London.[1]

Despite huge progress, the whole of London still exceeds the World Health Organization’s guidelines for air quality, and over half of deaths attributable to air pollution are in outer London.

Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely every year due to toxic air, and the report published today shows that the Mayor’s air quality policies, in particular the ULEZ and LEZ schemes, are having a transformative impact – cutting the number of older, more polluting vehicles seen driving in London and reducing the levels of harmful air pollution.

The ULEZ was introduced in central London in 2019 and expanded to inner London in October 2021. The central London ULEZ had a clear impact – in its first 10 months of operation, it helped reduce road transport nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 35 per cent and CO2 emissions by 6 percent in the zone.  Today’s landmark report shows that the ULEZ expansion has built on these benefits, with harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels 46 per cent lower in central London and 21 per cent lower in inner London than they would have been without the scheme. Thanks to the expansion of the ULEZ in inner London, NOx emissions have reduced by 23 per cent (13,500 tonnes) across London cumulatively since 2019 compared with what they would have been without the ULEZ. Within the existing ULEZ area, emissions have dropped by 26 per cent (5,000 tonnes) over the same four-year period, compared with what they would have been.

The number of older, more polluting vehicles in the zone has also continued to reduce significantly, dropping by 60 per cent since the inner London expansion came into operation in October 2021– an average reduction of 74,000 polluting vehicles every day seen driving in the zone. Overall, there were nearly 50,000 fewer vehicles seen in the zone on an average day – a reduction of almost five per cent compared to the month prior to the expansion.

The Mayor announced last November that the ULEZ will be expanded across all London boroughs in August 2023 to help bring the air quality and associated health benefits to the five million people living in outer London.

Today’s new report shows how vital further action is as average pollution concentrations at background monitoring sites in outer London have remained constant since 2021, with over half of deaths attributable to air pollution in outer London. The whole of London still exceeds the World Health Organization’s guidelines for air quality and there is no safe level of exposure.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:

“The evidence from this landmark report is clear – the ULEZ works. This is beyond dispute. It has already reduced toxic air pollution by almost half in central London and by over a fifth in inner London, transforming the quality of air for four million Londoners.

“But there’s still more to do. Toxic air is a matter of life and death, with around 4,000 deaths in London attributed to air pollution in 2019. It’s also stunting the growth of children’s lungs and causing people to develop life-changing illnesses, such as cancer, lung disease, dementia and asthma.

“With the majority of deaths attributable to air pollution in outer London, it’s vital that we expand the ULEZ London-wide. As Mayor, I simply won’t accept that the five million people in outer London shouldn’t be able to benefit from the same life-saving health impacts that ULEZ has already brought to the rest of our city.  Everyone has the right to breathe clean air.”

Christina Calderato, TfL’s Director of Strategy and Policy, said: “This report is further clear evidence that the ULEZ is highly effective and does what it is designed to do, protect Londoners’ health and significantly reduce pollution. It is great to see that significant numbers of people have moved away from older, more polluting vehicles and some of the most deadly emissions have been cut by a quarter. With London still exceeding WHO guidelines and those in outer London disproportionately suffering as a result of the capital’s filthy air, there is no stronger case to support the zone covering the whole of the city.  “We are also cleaning up our fleet with around 900 buses zero emission and through our licensing requirements more than 40 per cent of the capital’s black cabs are now running on electric. We know that ahead of the ULEZ expanding in August some people will need help making the green transition, which is why we have introduced new grace periods for disabled people and made £110 million available to charities, smaller businesses, disabled Londoners and those on low incomes to scrap their vehicles that don’t meet the standards.”

Sarah Woolnough, CEO at Asthma + Lung UK, said:

“The devastating impact that air pollution can have on our lungs and lives should not be underestimated. Toxic air stunts children’s’ lung growth, causes lung conditions and can trigger existing ones – that’s why schemes like the ULEZ that meaningfully reduce air pollution are so needed. The ULEZ expansion across inner London shows that where there is political leadership, things can get better and millions of people can breathe cleaner air. More schemes to tackle dirty air are desperately needed across the country, and more needs to be done to implement them where needed. It is vital that these measures are properly supported with improvements to public transport and schemes to help people transition to cleaner modes of transport.”

Jemima Hartshorn, Founder & Director, Mums for Lungs said: We are really pleased to see that the ULEZ expansion is reducing air pollution. The air across London is far too polluted, with diesel vehicles being the main contributor, stunting children’s lung growth, causing asthma and being linked to cancer. The ULEZ is giving kids a breather – and we need more action to ensure that we can all be healthy in our capital.

Dr Gary Fuller, air pollution scientist from Imperial College London’s Environmental Research Group, and UKRI Clean Air Champion said: “Scientists at Imperial College London worked alongside the Mayor’s team on the evidence base for the ULEZ design and to assess how well it is working.

“The 10^th anniversary of the death of Ella Kissi Debrah is a powerful reminder of the impacts of air pollution on London’s children and young people; especially those living, travelling or at school close to major roads. The central London ULEZ, and its extension to inner London, has bought about measurable and sustained improvements to air pollution from traffic.

“Many people fear that traffic will simply divert around low emission zones, worsening air pollution for those that live on the boundaries. However, data from London’s air pollution measurement network has shown that this has not happened. Instead, nitrogen dioxide alongside the North and South Circular roads has shown a strong improvement.

“Many cities in the UK and around the world are looking to follow London’s lead. I hope that the evidence here will improve the design of similar schemes more widely.”

Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40 Cities said: “Congratulations to Mayor Khan on achieving such dramatic results. Thanks to this courageous leadership, millions of Londoners are now breathing cleaner air. Air quality is a top concern for city residents the world over, and London’s example raises the bar for what cities can do with the right measures and the political will to implement them.”

Other key findings in the report include –

·       Harmful nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations are revealed to have reduced further than originally predicted, and are estimated to be 21 per cent lower in inner London and 46 per cent lower in central London than they would have been without the ULEZ. This is a reduction of 34 µgm-3 in central London and 8 µgm-3 in inner London, compared to the modelled scenario for the same month without ULEZ.

·       Crucially, NO₂ levels have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, indicating that even as traffic levels have risen, cleaner vehicles have had such positive impacts on emissions that air pollution levels continue to be far below what they would have been without the ULEZ and other policies that the Mayor has implemented.

·       The boundary roads have seen a reduction in NO2 concentrations of between 19 per cent and 27 per cent compared to without the ULEZ

·       Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) levels have also continued to reduce across London with a 41 per cent reduction in average concentrations in central and inner London since 2017.

·       Alongside the air quality benefits, the ULEZ has also had carbon reduction benefits. Cumulatively since 2019 it is estimated the ULEZ has led to a reduction of around 800,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions from vehicles across London over the four-year period compared to without the ULEZ, a saving of three per cent. Within the ULEZ area this is a saving of 290,000 tonnes, a reduction of four per cent over the same period. The reduction in emissions is a vital step closer to achieving the Mayor’s aim of reaching Net Zero by 2030.

·       The ULEZ has had an enormous positive effect on the share of compliant vehicles seen driving in the zone, jumping from just 39 per cent when the scheme was announced in 2017, to 94.4 per cent in October 2022.

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 9 February 2023.

• Urgent funding from Mayor comes as charities warn women and girls finding it harder to leave dangerous situations due to the cost of living crisis
• This will be followed by new funding for grassroots organisations to deliver vital services and improve access to support for women and girls most impacted by violence and abuse
• Mayor takes part in L’Oréal Paris’ bystander training, delivered by Suzy Lamplugh Trust to help challenge public harassment of women and girls
• Training comes as new research reveals 80 per cent of women in the UK have reported experiencing harassment in public spaces

An urgent new investment to support women and girls impacted by violence access the support they need, during the cost of living crisis, has been announced by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today.

The £1million cost of living fund is being launched by the Mayor to immediately support vital VAWG services, in response to organisations tackling VAWG in London and across the country reporting that the cost of living crisis is disproportionately impacting women and girls, preventing them from being able to safely leave abusive relationships and situations. [1]

On top of this, Sadiq is committing a further £3million to continue his support for local grassroots and community organisations in the capital over the next two years. This funding will help minority Black organisations, those with disabilities, neuro-diverse, LGBT+, older people and women who have no direct access to public funds or for whom mainstream provision is not always appropriate or safely accessible.

The Mayor’s renewed action to build a safer London for everyone comes as recent incidents across the UK have highlighted the growing epidemic of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and the need for more to be done now to help those most at risk. The support package will help the poorest women and groups in the capital and is part of the Mayor’s public health approach to tackling VAWG and ensure those most vulnerable during the cost of living crisis have access to the help they need.

This funding is in addition to the £105million investment the Mayor has overseen in tackling violence against women and girls since he was elected in 2016, which includes investing over £45million in specialist support for VAWG victims and survivors.

Today, Sadiq joined Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Linden and other City Hall staff in taking part in the L’Oréal Paris Stand Up Against Street Harassment bystander training course to help tackle street harassment, delivered by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. The 60-minute free training is available both in-person or virtually, and is open for everybody including all businesses. [2]

Research by L’Oréal Paris and the Suzy Lamplugh Trust reveals 80 per cent of women in the UK have reported experiencing harassment in public spaces and nine out of 10 people surveyed in the UK have experienced some form of unwanted behaviour – such as staring, intimidatingly sitting or standing right by someone, and verbal abuse – on public transport in the past five years. [3]

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust, with the Mayor’s Women’s Night Safety Charter which is funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC), is also delivering bystander training to businesses across the capital throughout this month and in March to help ensure that London is a city where all women feel confident and safe at night.

The training builds on the success of the Mayor’s award-winning #HaveAWord campaign which launched in March 2022 and encourages men of all ages to reflect on how they can play their part in tackling violence against women and girls. The campaign’s video – which is approaching its first anniversary – has been viewed over 15 million times and recent polling shows that 85 per cent of men who have viewed the video said they would call out misogynistic behaviour if they see it. [4]

The Mayor’s refreshed VAWG strategy places a stronger emphasis on partnership working, prevention and education across a wide range of services in London, targeting the behaviour of those who perpetrate abuse, and builds on the recognition that violence against women and girls often starts with words and that we all have a responsibility to challenge the behaviour that can lead to violence and women feeling unsafe.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “There is an epidemic of violence against women and girls across the UK which needs to be treated with the utmost urgency – not just by the police and partners, but our society as a whole.

“We know the cost of living crisis is disproportionately impacting women, particularly those whose lives are impacted by abuse and inequality, and the organisations that are supporting them. That’s why I’m proposing a new £4million investment that will help women and girls of all backgrounds to access the help and support they need. This action is part of my refreshed VAWG strategy which is championing a public health approach to ending the violence and misogyny too many women face on a daily basis and building a safer London for everyone.

“I would encourage everyone, particularly men, to take part in L’Oreal Paris’ excellent Stand Up Against Street Harassment training delivered by the Suzy Lamplugh Trust and learn how you can be an active bystander and safely intervene if you see a woman being harassed in a public place.”

Suky Bhaker, CEO, Suzy Lamplugh Trust, said: “Everyone has the right to be safe. But our research shows that a shocking number of people – disproportionately women – are experiencing harassment in public spaces. It is unacceptable. Stand Up Against Street Harassment bystander intervention training aims to address the prevalence of public harassment.

“Working with L’Oréal Paris through Stand Up, we aim to equip people with tools to tackle public harassment. Bystanders can play a critical role in supporting victims, helping them feel – and be – safer.”

Caroline O’Neill, General Manager, L’Oréal Paris UK and Ireland, said: “At L’Oréal Paris, we believe that nothing should stand between a woman and her self-worth. Research shows that street harassment is a significant barrier in women’s everyday life, impacting their self-worth, which is why we want to play a part in preventing it. Together, we can get the UK to Train Up to Stand Up, to drive cultural change and work towards a future without street harassment.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 7 February 2023.

• Around 135,000 new donors are needed per year to meet demand, with donors urgently needed from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds
• London has the highest number of sickle cell patients in the UK which disproportionately impacts people of Black Caribbean and Black African heritage
• Mayor encourages Londoners to become donors as he donates at City Hall blood drive

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today called on Londoners to step forward and give blood to help save and improve lives, as hundreds of new donors are needed every day to help patients in the capital.

Around 135,000 new donors are needed every year to ensure there is blood available to patients across the country, with at least 40,000 new blood donors needed in London each year over the next five years to keep supplying blood for lifesaving treatments. Donors of Black heritage are urgently needed to help patients, particularly those with sickle cell – the country’s fastest growing genetic blood disorder.

Sadiq worked with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to host the first ever blood drive at City Hall’s new location at the Royal Docks today. He was joined by NHSBT Ambassadors Dr Emeka Okorocha and Dr Amos Ogunkoya, and Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard to give blood and encourage more people from diverse backgrounds across the capital to become donors.

While people from all communities and backgrounds do give blood, fewer than five per cent of donors in the last year were from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.

More donors of Black heritage are particularly required as there has been a rise in demand for some rare blood types, such as Ro, which is most often needed by patients with sickle cell. Black heritage donors are 10 times more likely to have the Ro subtype and last year, hospitals in London asked for 58 per cent more Ro blood than they did five years ago.

The situation is particularly critical in London as the capital has the highest number of sickle cell patients in the UK. Sickle cell disproportionately impacts people of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage, and each month 1,300 donors of Black heritage are needed to give blood to help provide life-saving transfusions to sickle cell patients, as well as for use in emergencies, childbirth, during surgery and in cancer treatments.

NHSBT estimates that at least 16,000 more donors of Black African and Black Caribbean heritage are needed each year to ensure the right blood is available for patients who need it.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “We urgently need more Londoners to come forward and give blood to help deliver lifesaving treatments across the capital and the country. Giving blood saves lives, providing a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments. I was proud to host this blood drive at City Hall as part of my work to build a better London for all, and encourage more Londoners to become donors.”

Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard said: “Due to our wonderfully diverse population, London is in a unique position to recruit more donors from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, and we desperately need more Black Londoners to step forward to help those patients struggling with sickle cell.”

Director of Donor Experience at NHS Blood and Transplant, David Rose, said: “Blood donation is amazing and it saves lives, yet right now we urgently need more donors of Black heritage to help tackle the health inequalities affecting patients from a similar ethnic background who rely on regular blood transfusions, a growing number of whom are Londoners. While there has been a rise in new donors of Black heritage in recent years we are only able to provide matched blood for just over half of the hospital requests for Ro blood – most often needed by Sickle cell patients and most commonly found in donors of Black heritage – putting patients at risk of health complications in the future. As one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world, Londoners have the unique opportunity to be part of the solution by becoming donors. Today’s event is a vital step in raising awareness of these needs and driving solutions between community partners in London on how we can work together and alongside the Mayor to tackle this challenge. To find your nearest appointment to donate visit the GiveBlood app.”

ACLT (African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust) Co-founder, Beverley De-Gale said: “Registering to book a blood donation appointment is a simple process which goes onto save thousands of lives. I’m thrilled The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is supporting such an important initiative and leading by example, by donating blood at City Hall today. I hope Londoners who are new to blood donation, in addition to existing blood donors, feel encouraged today to book an appointment to donate and continue to donate throughout the year; women can donate 3 times a year, whilst men can donate 4 times a year. Together let’s give those in urgent need the lifeline and treatment they require in an emergency or to treat lifelong illnesses such as sickle cell.”

Dr Emeka Okocrocha, said: “As a doctor I am well aware of just how important giving blood is. Blood is something we all have, something we all need and something we can all give. So if you meet the requirements you should definitely give blood as we are currently at a shortage and need more donors. It’s simple, it’s quick and it’s easy and by just giving a little bit of time and a little bit of blood you could be making a big difference to somebody’s life.”

Dr Amos Ogunkoya, said: “As a doctor every day I see the importance of giving blood. Giving blood is a very quick and painless process which can help save many lives, so please give blood today.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 3 February 2023.