Tag: Mayor of London

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

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:  “My thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Sarah Everard today and all those impacted by her death. Sarah was a brilliant and talented woman who had her whole life ahead of her and was loved deeply by her family and friends.

“Sarah’s murder at the hands of a serving police officer shocked the nation and brought into sharp focus a culture in the police which had fallen far below the high standards expected by decent police officers and the public.

“I’m determined to ensure that something like this is never allowed to happen again and am supporting the new Commissioner in his commitment to identify and rid the Met of those individuals within the force who are not fit to serve the people of our city. I am also holding the Commissioner to account to bring about the urgent step-change in culture, systems, standards and performance that’s so desperately needed to rebuild public confidence and trust in the police and help to build a safer London for everyone.”

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

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has frozen funding to three social housing providers in London in a crackdown on poor performing landlords in the capital.

Following a review by the Mayor’s Housing and Land team, ChristianActionEnfield, Industrial Dwellings Society and Swan will receive no funding for additional Affordable Housing Programme (AHP) projects and City Hall has restricted their formal ‘Investment Partner’ (IP) status until further notice.

The Mayor has led the way on taking tough action to raise standards in social housing to ensure that all Londoners have good quality homes and an acceptable level of service provided by their landlord.

In September, Sadiq’s Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development, Tom Copley, wrote to investment partners to set out the actions City Hall will take if the Regulator of Social Housing issues either a non-compliant grade or a Regulatory Notice against a housing provider. Both notices indicate that a provider has breached a consumer or economic regulatory standard.

This action was subsequently echoed nationally, with the Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, introducing similar measures in the rest of the country following the tragic death of toddler, Awaab Ishak. Awaab died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould at his home in Rochdale.

If providers are not compliant with regulatory standards (including non-compliant grades for governance and viability) or have an active Regulatory Notice, the new City Hall rules mean that the Mayor can withdraw or restrict Investment Partner status. This will then restrict the amount of capital that the provider can access.

ChristianActionEnfield was downgraded for weaknesses in financial governance, including inadequate financial monitoring and board reporting and a lack of effective board oversight and scrutiny. Industrial Dwellings Society self-referred to the Regulator and were downgraded because of mould and damp issues at Evelyn House. Swan breached the Home Standard which sets expectations for registered providers of social housing to provide tenants with quality accommodation and a cost-effective repairs and maintenance service.

Although most of the Mayor’s devolved housing funding is used for new-build homes, he is determined to use his powers to drive up standards in existing housing stock – whether or not it was funded by City Hall – and to champion tenants’ concerns over poor standards and services.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am doing everything in my power to drive up the quality of housing in the London, which is why I’ve put in place these funding restrictions for three social housing providers who have failed to meet both the standards that City Hall expects and that Londoners deserve.

“London is building some of the most impressive new affordable homes in the country, but it is vital that existing residents experience high standards too.

“The tragic death of the toddler, Awaab Ishak, shined a light on the appalling conditions many people are living in and I simply will not tolerate any more needless deaths because of poor housing. That’s why I will not only continue to take action in London, but put pressure on the Government to also take responsibility for pushing for higher standards and to provide additional funding.

“We owe it to all Londoners to provide better, safer and fairer housing in the capital.”

Darren Hartley, Chief Executive of TAROE Trust, said: “The freezing of grant for Investment Partners sends a clear message to landlords that the Mayor is taking seriously the needs to drive up minimum housing standards for tenants across the sector. Poor housing conditions can no longer be tolerated. It seems wrong to be funding landlords to develop new properties when they need to get their existing homes in order. We are also reassured that funding will be diverted to ensure there is no reduction in supply, so the position should be positive all round for tenants.

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 24 February 2023.

Mayor announces funding for up to 600 new homes for Ukrainian and Afghan refugees on anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine 

• City Hall, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and other London landmarks will be lit up to join international moment of solidarity with Ukraine
• Mayor to attend commemorative service at the Ukrainian Catholic Church, alongside Ukrainian ambassador, faith leaders and Ukrainian refugees
• New £126m funding from Government will help to deliver homes for refugees who have fled conflict
• Refugee Housing Programme (RHP) programme will run until March 2024
• These homes will become social or affordable housing available for Londoners on the housing waiting list in the longer term

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced funding for up to 600 new homes in London for Ukrainians and Afghans who have fled conflict and are homeless, at risk of homelessness or living in unsuitable temporary accommodation.

The announcement comes as the capital is set to join others around the world in marking the first anniversary of the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Tonight, City Hall, Trafalgar Square, the London Eye and other London landmarks will be lit up to join an international moment of solidarity with Ukrainians in London and abroad.

The National Theatre, Oxo Tower and Southbank Centre will also be lit up in Ukrainian colours, and the capital’s world-famous screens at both Piccadilly Circus and Outernet will send a message of solidarity to all those impacted by the invasion of Ukraine.

They will join other cities around the world lighting up landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Torre Monumental in Buenos Aires and others across Warsaw, Madrid, Brussels, Prague, Budapest and more.

This morning Sadiq will also attend a commemorative service at the Ukrainian Catholic Church, which will be attended by the Ukrainian Ambassador, faith leaders and Ukrainian refugees.

London has a proud history of providing sanctuary to those fleeing conflict, with 16,000 Ukrainian refugees currently living in London under the Homes for Ukraine scheme and hundreds of Afghans accommodated in Home Office bridging accommodation sites in the capital.

However, many of the bridging accommodation sites are due to close in the coming months and the initial six-month accommodation commitment by hosts through the Homes for Ukraine scheme will, in the vast majority of cases, be ending soon or have already ended. This will put further pressure on already stretched council accommodation programmes.

To ease this pressure, the Mayor has been allocated £126m from the Government’s £500m Local Authority Housing Fund to enable boroughs and housing associations to deliver 600 affordable homes for Ukrainians and Afghans fleeing conflict. In London the programme will be known as the Refugee Housing Programme (RHP), and will run until 31 March 2024.

Housing associations and local authorities who have an ambition to develop RHP homes will be able to bid for funding from early spring. The programme will fund new home acquisitions, including refurbishing existing or newly acquired homes, purchasing new-build properties or developing new homes. Individual funding allocations will be approved and administered by City Hall.

The programme will also make funding available for local authorities and housing associations to provide better quality and more sustainable accommodation for households currently in Home Office bridging accommodation. This will often be for larger homes, given the average family size of those in bridging accommodation.

In the longer term, the homes delivered through the RHP will be returned to councils and housing associations to become social or affordable rented homes available for Londoners on the housing waiting list or who require temporary accommodation.

Rents charged to refugees will be affordable. All Ukrainian and Afghan scheme arrivals have the right to work, receive benefits and access public services.

Since becoming Mayor, Sadiq has shown his strong support for migrants, refugees and people seeking asylum. He has helped councils house refugees through his existing Right to Buy-back fund. In March last year he announced more than £1.1m in funding to expand access to immigration advice, develop the Migrant Londoners Hub, and improve support for the capital’s migrant workers. He has also invested in a series of measures to support refugees from Ukraine, evacuees from Afghanistan, and new arrivals under the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “On this tragic milestone – the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine – our city stands in solidarity with millions around the world in support of the innocent people of Ukraine. Our landmarks have been lit in Ukrainian colours and our world-famous billboards are posting messages in honour and solidarity with all those impacted by the ongoing war, which tragically continues to cause so much suffering.

“I’m committed to supporting refugees who have come here to rebuild their lives and do everything I can to help them thrive in their local community. That’s why I’ve announced a new programme which will see City Hall deliver up to 600 affordable homes for Ukrainians and Afghans fleeing conflict, giving those who have been through such harrowing upheaval the stability they deserve.

“I’m doing all I can to build a better and fairer London for everyone by helping councils house refugees through my existing Right to Buy-back fund, and I’m helping migrants and refugees navigate the complex immigration system by funding advice services to provide new arrivals with key information about their rights. However, there are still too many refugees living in unsuitable accommodation. We need the Government to urgently step up and provide the right funding to local authorities, the voluntary sector and immigration advice services so that every refugee in need has the home and support they need.”

Cllr Georgia Gould, Chair of London Councils, said: “Boroughs are proud to play a pivotal role in welcoming Ukrainian and Afghan refugees to the capital and ensuring they receive the support they need from local services.

“However, London’s severe shortage of affordable housing makes it extremely hard to find suitable accommodation for everyone who requires it. This funding will boost the vital work taking place across the capital to secure much-needed housing. We’ll continue to work with our partners, including in government, to make sure enough resources are available for tackling this on-going challenge.”

Tamsin Baxter, Executive Director of External Affairs at the Refugee Council: “Our country has a long and proud history of providing protection to people fleeing war, persecution and violence. When the war in Ukraine began a year ago, thousands of British people opened their homes, giving Ukrainians a warm welcome in their hour of need. This is who we are – we provide protection and a place to call home to those who have lost everything.

“At a time when we’re seeing the number of refugees facing homelessness in the UK rising, the Refugee Housing Programme provides a very welcome solution for sustainable housing for people who have lost everything.  A place to call home, in a welcoming community, are key elements of helping refugees rebuild their lives in safety here in the capital.”

 Sra Doggett, Head of Corporate Affairs at Landsec said: “Piccadilly Lights is a key piece of the London landscape, and as such, plays an important role sitting at the heart of London’s multicultural community. It was therefore an easy decision for us to support this message of solidarity and hope for the people of Ukraine, particularly those who have made their homes in the capital. We’re grateful to have been given the opportunity to be involved in this important moment.”

Imran Tauqir, General Manager of the lastminute.com London Eye, said: “We are proud to join with landmarks around the world in this international moment of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

By lighting the London Eye in the colours of the Ukrainian flag we send out a clear and strong message of our continued support for the people of Ukraine and all those impacted by the invasion.

The London Eye will also join in the national moment of silence to allow our teams and guests to pay tribute to the courage of the Ukrainians.

Our thoughts remain with the Ukrainian people as we continue to stand with them.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 23 February 2023.

• Mayor’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm awards £500,000 to support  community-led projects across 17 boroughs
• A new memorial for victims of the New Cross Fire in 1981, a mural in Lambeth celebrating female activists and mural painters and a trail describing the history of Jewish and interfaith communities in Willesden and Brondesbury Park
• This funding is the second round of the Mayor’s £1m Untold Stories programme, delivering on his commitment to make public spaces more reflective of the capital’s diversity

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, today awarded nearly £500,000 to support 28 projects across the capital to improve diversity in our public spaces.

New statues, artworks and walking tours across 17 boroughs will receive funding as part of a £1m programme from the Mayor’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm.

The grants offer communities the opportunity to develop ideas and share their stories in the public realm. Organisations applied for grants of up to £5,000 to develop a concept or idea, or up to £25,000 if the project is further developed.

The Commission was created by the Mayor to help tell the full story of the capital, as the majority of London’s statues, street names and memorials largely reflect Victorian Britain. The £1m Untold Stories programme aims to help community organisations celebrate those who have contributed to the success of our city and, in some cases, pay tribute to Londoners who have lost their lives.

This second round of funding brings the total number of projects funded to 70, across 24 London boroughs. It includes:

• A statue of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah in Mountsfield Park, Lewisham. It will be a permanent memorial to the nine-year old who tragically died 10 years ago due to toxic air pollution. Named First Breath for Our Future Ancestor. The project will incorporate a pollution-absorbing statue, wildflower meadow and an air quality sensor to help local residents monitor the air they breathe.
• A new memorial in Thamesmead to commemorate 15 year old Rolan Adams, whose murder in 1991 sparked a huge anti-racism movement and changed the face of a borough.
• A trail describing the history of Jewish and interfaith communities in Willesden and Brondesbury Park will be created.
• A walk and audio tour which will feature local stories, music and poetry celebrating the communities of Latimer and Westway in Kensington and Chelsea. The tour will represent the complex and layered histories of these local communities.
• The installation of a landmark opposite 47 Tulse Hill, a listed building in Lambeth, where Princess Diana opened one of London’s first HIV / AIDS clinics. This project will help to tell the story of those affected and who attended the clinic.

·      A plaque, panel, memorial bench and 15 tree guards in Down Park Hackney will tell the story of the devastating New Cross Fire in 1981 in which 13 people lost their lives. It will also celebrate local activist Charles Collins who has not only fought for a permanent place for 13 memorial trees commemorating those who died, but for more to be done to remember the victims of that terrible tragedy.

• A mural in Lambeth celebrating female activists and mural painters in the 1970s and 1980s whose work is disappearing.
• A mobile space and café designed by D/deaf artists to celebrate and share stories from the community in Lambeth.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “It is vital that London’s public spaces are able to reflect the many different communities that make up our great city.

“I am proud that through the Untold Stories programme we are able to support projects that will tell many more stories of the people who have helped to build and shape our capital.

“I want everyone to be able to take pride in our city’s public spaces and I know that by raising awareness about more of our heritage and history we are creating a better and fairer London for everyone.”

Lynette Nabbosa, Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm member and the founder of Elimu, said: “Untold Stories received a huge number of applications, of brilliant breadth and creativity, showing the passion and drive of Londoners to see themselves reflected in our public spaces. Projects from the first round of funding are already making an impact, I can’t wait to experience what communities across London develop from this second round.”

Charlotte Bill, Director and Project manager for Clapham Film Unit said: “Clapham Film Unit is very excited to be working with a young mural artist to transform Clapham Deep Shelter and to tell the story of two Women’s street art collectives. The local community and London’s network of Mural Artists are in support of the project. Funding from the Mayor of London is making this dream a reality, increasing diverse representation in the public realm and telling the Untold Story of Women street artists”.

Chris French, Chair and Founder Lambeth Links said: “We are thrilled to receive this funding to recognise a truly trailblazing welcoming safe space, that was a sanctuary for many communities affected by HIV. This will be a true community led project and we can’t wait to begin!”

Nurull Islam, Creative producer, Mile End Community Project said: “We are overjoyed to receive this funding which will allow us to shed light on the untold stories of migrants through the power of arts. This support will Make a difference in bringing a voice to those who have been marginalised.”

Gbemisola Isimi, Culture Tree said: “We are very happy and honoured to have been awarded this funding. It will help us in our efforts to celebrate Yoruba culture and raise awareness of Yoruba heritage and contributions to Southwark borough.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 23 February 2023.

• Government have previously funded scrappage schemes in Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham but not in London and south-east
• Mayor asks Rishi Sunak to help double the size of his unprecedented £110m London scrappage scheme

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has urged the Prime Minister to join him in his mission to clean up London’s toxic air. In a letter to Rishi Sunak the Mayor calls for a new targeted scrappage scheme to help people in the Home Counties to retrofit or replace vehicles that are not compliant with the Ultra Low Emission Zone, ahead of the zone’s expansion to the Greater London boundary in August.

The Mayor has already established the largest scrappage fund ever offered in the UK, totalling £110m for Londoners, without a single penny of Government support. Sadiq is therefore also asking the Prime Minister to replicate the funding offered by Government when other cities established their clean air zones and double the size of his scrappage fund for Londoners, allowing thousands more polluting vehicles to be taken off the roads. The Mayor points out that Greater Manchester, Bristol, Birmingham and Bradford all received funding from Government for their own scrappage schemes, whilst London and the Home Counties have received nothing despite being net contributors to the Treasury every year and Londoners paying £500 million of vehicle excise yearly, which is then spent on maintaining roads in other parts of the country.

The request comes as it is reported the Chancellor has received a £30bn windfall in the public finances ahead of the Spring Budget next month. The Mayor believes there is no better use for a small percentage of this money than to help clean up the capital’s air.

Toxic air caused by traffic is still leading to children growing up with stunted lungs and nearly 4,000 premature deaths a year – with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in London’s outer boroughs. Earlier this month a major new report showed that harmful pollution emissions have reduced by 26 per cent within the current ULEZ area – compared with what they would have been without the 2021 expansion coming into force.

Letter to Prime Minister on Scrappage Scheme / Air Quality targets

Dear Prime Minister,

As you will no doubt be aware, London is in the grip of a deadly public health crisis. Toxic air pollution is causing the premature deaths of an estimated 4,000 Londoners every year, while children in our city are growing up with stunted lungs because the air they breathe is poisoning them. It is no exaggeration to say this is one of the greatest scandals of our time and an injustice we must act urgently to address.

As Mayor, I’ve taken swift and decisive action to protect the health of Londoners – bringing forward the implementation of our Ultra Low Emission Zone and then expanding it to cover inner London. The impact of this has been nothing short of transformative, with levels of one of the most dangerous pollutants in our air cut by almost a half in central London and by more than a fifth in inner London, ensuring that more than four million Londoners are now able to benefit from cleaner air.

However, there is still a long way to go to protect our communities from this invisible killer. If no additional action is taken, it is estimated that around 550,000 more Londoners would develop diseases attributable to air pollution over the next 30 years – ruining lives, condemning a generation of children to ill-health and costing the NHS and social care system in the region of £10.4 billion.

It is abundantly clear then that the cost of inaction is far too high and that further action is needed to safeguard public health and spare people unnecessary suffering. I’m simply not prepared to stand idly by while toxic fumes from highly polluting vehicles choke our communities and leave our children reaching for inhalers and gasping for air. That’s why I’ve chosen to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone London-wide. We know it will deliver cleaner air for five million more Londoners and save lives, particularly in the outer boroughs of London, where the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution currently occur.

The ULEZ is a highly targeted scheme, designed to get only the most polluting vehicles off the road – with 85 per cent of vehicles seen driving in outer London already meeting the required emissions standards and not liable for the new charge. And I’ve announced the biggest scrappage scheme yet – £110 million – to support Londoners on lower incomes, disabled Londoners, micro businesses and charities to scrap or retrofit their non-compliant vehicles.

However, there is more to be done, which must include proper national action to tackle air pollution and the climate crisis.  So I urge you to use some of the unexpected £30bn windfall in the public finances to not only match the funding allocated for scrappage in London, but to introduce a targeted scrappage scheme that provides help to those based in the home counties who drive into London with the most polluting vehicles.  I also hope my approach on eligibility for scrappage and exemptions can be followed nationally.

Following an order by the Supreme Court to tackle the illegal levels of air pollution across the country, the Government has been working with other cities and regions to introduce clean air zones. This has included some national support for local scrappage schemes, including in Greater Manchester (£120m), Bristol (£42m), Birmingham (£38m) and Bradford (£30m).  But London and the home counties, including Surrey and Kent, have not received even a penny of support from central government. London, the South East and the East of England make net contributions to the Treasury every year and Londoners pay £500 million of vehicle excise yearly, which is then spent on maintaining roads in other parts of the country. For our regions to pay in so much and not be helped to reduce carbon emissions and make our air safer to breathe is unfair and doesn’t make sense.

I truly believe the polluted state of our air – and its consequences for the health of our citizens and the next generation – is one of the greatest scandals of our time. It’s a travesty on a par with the harm done to our children’s health by second hand cigarette smoke. It took decades before action was taken to address that menace and, as political leaders with the power to make a difference, we can’t be responsible for a similar delay that damages our young people’s health and slows our efforts to avert a climate crisis.

So I urge you to become a doer, rather than a delayer, when it comes to climate action and reducing air pollution, and to bring an end to the failure of leadership we have seen at the top of national government on these vital issues for far too long.

Yours sincerely,

Sadiq Khan

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.”