Tag: Mayor of London

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 14 October 2022.

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 13 October 2022.

nurtureuk and Tender are delighted to announce their roles in a transformational new programme aimed at tackling school exclusions in London.

The charities have been named as joint delivery partners for the London Violence Reduction Unit’s Inclusive and Nurturing Schools Programme, which is being rolled out across 70 schools in seven London Boroughs. It aims to keep children safe, supported, and thriving in school, tackle exclusions, and ensure children and young people have healthy relationship behaviours and attitudes.

nurtureuk, which champions nurture in education, and Tender, a charity specialising in the prevention of gender-based violence and the promotion of healthy relationships between children and young people, will deliver the programme in partnership.

Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said: “We firmly believe in the importance of education and the support and guidance that good quality schools, colleges and alternative provision settings can give a young person. What’s also clear is there is a direct correlation between school exclusions and serious violence affecting young people.

“We’re redoubling our focus to minimise exclusions and keeping children and young people safe and engaged in their education. The VRU will be delivering a new, targeted programme – backed up with nearly £2m investment – to tackle school exclusions, sexual harassment and abuse.

“It’s crucial that we support schools – and our fantastic, hardworking teachers – to be safe and nurturing places where pupils’ needs – both educational and personal – can be identified early. We’re looking forward to working with Nurture and Tender in the delivery of our inclusive education programme to tackle school exclusions and help promote the importance of healthy relationships.”

nurtureuk CEO Arti Sharma said: “We’re delighted to help deliver this vital programme. Children are struggling with their social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing like never before. A nurturing approach in schools is now more essential than ever and this programme will ensure children are ready and able to learn. We look forward to working alongside Tender and the London Violence Reduction Unit to help achieve its aims of reducing exclusions and ensuring children can thrive in school.”

Tender CEO Susie McDonald said: “As one of Tender’s Youth Board members noted recently, preventing abuse and harassment is a form of care. We are therefore thrilled to be working with nurtureuk and the London Violence Reduction Unit to ensure that children receive the care and protection they need to enjoy and excel in their education. Positive social connections are foundational to children’s wellbeing, and we are excited to support schools to embed and embody healthy relationships education through this dynamic new programme.”

The initiative is being delivered in Barking and Dagenham, Enfield, Croydon, Greenwich, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham and Islington. The boroughs have been selected based on rates of suspension, absence, persistent absenteeism and pupils with special educational needs (SEN) support, as well as wider measures such as rates of Children in Need and domestic abuse incidents.

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 13 October 2022.

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 11 October 2022.

• The NHS is offering a COVID booster and flu vaccine to a wide range of Londoners to help reduce the impact of the viruses
• Sadiq called on eligible Londoners to get their vaccines as soon as possible as he received his vaccinations
• GP surgeries and pharmacies are among those offering the vaccines this winter

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today urged eligible Londoners to get their COVID booster and flu vaccine as soon as possible to reduce the threat of a ‘twindemic’ this winter. Sadiq received both vaccines at a pharmacy in Tooting this morning after being invited due to his severe asthma.

The Mayor called on Londoners to book an appointment to help protect themselves, their loved ones and the NHS, as health leaders warned that the viruses could increase pressures on already stretched hospitals and other healthcare services.

COVID cases have been increasing in London with nearly 1,000 people currently in hospital, and health experts have warned that catching the potentially life-threatening viruses at the same time makes you even more likely to become seriously ill.

The NHS is offering the two vaccines across the capital with more than 400 GP surgeries, pharmacies and vaccine hubs, and is working hard to roll them out to a range of eligible Londoners, including frontline health and care workers, those aged 50 and over, as well as those who are pregnant or have underlying health conditions. Children aged between 2–14 years are being offered the flu vaccination through a nasal spray.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Thanks to the success of the lifesaving COVID vaccine, our city is thankfully in a completely different place to where we were this time last year, but with winter coming it’s really important that we all remember that COVID-19 and the flu have not gone away. Both of these diseases can be life-threatening, and we must do all we can to protect ourselves and reduce the chances of a ‘twindemic’ adding further pressure on our hospitals and healthcare services. I urge Londoners who are eligible to take-up the offer of a flu vaccine and COVID booster as soon as possible for the good of themselves, their loved ones and the NHS.”

Dr Chris Streather, medical director for the NHS in London, said: “Over half a million Londoners have already protected themselves against severe illness by getting their COVID-19 autumn booster vaccine. But with experts warning of the threat of COVID-19 and flu creating a ‘twindemic’ this winter, there is no time for complacency so we’re urging all eligible Londoners to get their COVID-19 and flu vaccines as soon as possible. If, for any reason you have not yet had your autumn booster, I would strongly urge you to come forward as soon as possible and get protected – the vaccine remains the best protection against serious illness and hospitalisation from COVID-19 this winter.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 10 October 2022.

• 51 per cent of Londoners believe the proposed expansion of the ULEZ should be implemented compared with 27 per cent who think it shouldn’t.
• Same percentage of Londoners as last year see the ULEZ as positive (54 per cent), demonstrating that support has not been affected by the cost-of-living crisis
• There are a quarter of million people with asthma in outer London who are still breathing toxic air

Nearly twice as many Londoners believe the Mayor’s proposed expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone should go ahead than oppose it, a representative YouGov poll commissioned by City Hall has revealed. [1].

Tackling toxic air in London is a top priority for the Mayor, which is why he is proposing to expand the ULEZ London-wide. The proposed expansion would come into effect in August 2023 and would improve air quality for five million more Londoners and help tackle the climate emergency.

Polling shows 51 per cent of Londoners believe the ULEZ expansion should go ahead, compared to 27 per cent who do not.

Almost two thirds (62 per cent) of Londoners without access to a garden or private outdoor space are keen for the ULEZ to expand and half of these want it to be implemented sooner.

Implementation of the ULEZ expansion is even more popular among those under 50, where 56 per cent say they support it compared to 21 per cent who oppose.

Overall, fifty four per cent of Londoners see the ULEZ as positive, and this percentage hasn’t changed since polling in 2021, revealing that the ongoing cost of living crisis has not swayed the support of Londoners for the ULEZ.[2]

Around 4,000 Londoners died prematurely in 2019 because of long-term exposure to air pollution, with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in outer London boroughs.[3] Air pollution is also permanently stunting children’s lungs and leading adults to suffer a range of illnesses, including lung and heart disease. Over 500,000 Londoners live with asthma and are more vulnerable to the impacts of toxic air, with more than half of these people living in outer London boroughs. While those living in central London are breathing cleaner air due to the ULEZ, with roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels down by 44 per cent, those in outer boroughs are not benefiting to the same extent. The Mayor has been called on to make this fairer by expanding the ULEZ London-wide.

The Mayor believes air quality is also a matter of social justice, with air pollution hitting the poorest communities as well as Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities the hardest. The polling reveals a clear majority (55 per cent) of ethnic minority Londoners think the ULEZ expansion should be implemented – almost three times (20 per cent) those who don’t.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said:   

“Air pollution in our city is contributing to children growing up with stunted lungs and older Londoners developing dementia.

“The ULEZ has already made a big difference – reducing air pollution by nearly half in central London and helping us to tackle the climate emergency. It’s clear that Londoners now want the zone to be expanded given the immense harm air pollution is still causing in our city – from cancer to dementia. Expansion of the ULEZ would lead to five million more people being able to breathe cleaner, less polluted air.

“In making my decision I will carefully consider all responses to the public consultation and Londoners’ views.”

“I don’t want us to miss out on any opportunities to protect Londoners from toxic air so that we can continue building a healthier, cleaner and greener London for everyone.”

Ruth Fitzharris, Mums for Lungs said “As a parent of a six-year-old child with asthma in outer London, I am really glad to see that many Londoners are in favour of a bigger ULEZ, which will benefit the health of so many children living here. One in ten kids in London have asthma. One third of those cases are caused by air pollution! All kids in London are negatively affected by air pollution and they really need to breathe clean air now”.

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 7 October 2022.

• City Hall and London’s Violence Reduction Unit to invest further £7.8m in programme to embed youth workers in emergency departments
• This is on top of the £9.2m Sadiq has invested in youth workers in hospitals since 2016
• Initial data shows nearly 800 young people engaged with youth workers operating in A&E hospitals in the last two years alone
• Sadiq champions partnership between City Hall and NHS in tackling violence and supporting young people.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced that his Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) and City Hall are investing a further £7.8 million* to build on a programme that embeds youth workers in hospital emergency departments to support young people affected by violence.

Specialist frontline youth workers, based in hospitals, work alongside clinicians in Accident and Emergency departments and Major Trauma Centres to offer support, guidance and a route away from violence for young people.

New funding from City Hall will mean that youth workers will continue to be embedded in eight A&E hospitals and four Major Trauma Centres. Hospital locations are determined by the levels of young victims of violence in the surrounding area.

The investment will also enable specialist youth workers to support young victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence in the four Major Trauma Centres.

It comes as initial data shows that over the last two years, nearly 800 young people have engaged and worked with youth workers based in A&Es, supporting them away from violence and helping with mental health support, access to education and housing, as well as training and employment opportunities.

Youth work provision, which is carried out by Redthread, St Giles Trust and Oasis, was delivered during the pandemic and engagement has stepped up in the last year with practitioners’ increased presence in hospitals.

Initial data reveals that between April 2020 and March 2022, support from youth workers:

• Helped young people to feel safe because they have a trusted adult relationship that they can rely on.
• Showed that for those that engaged with youth workers, exposure and involvement in violence reduced.

Youth workers based in A&E departments provides an opportunity to intervene in a young person’s life much earlier. Known as the ‘reachable moment’ skilled youth workers engage with young people when they arrive at hospital with injuries – the time when they are most receptive to changing their behaviour.

Clinical leads in hospitals across the capital have worked hard to develop the programme and dedicated spaces in A&E has been secured to provide opportunities for youth workers to speak confidentially to young people, and provide the support and guidance they need.

The security of new funding from the VRU and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime means youth workers will be able to further develop those relationships in hospitals and work in partnership to support more young people over the next three years.

The programme continues the VRU’s focus on championing and investing in youth work in London. It joins the ENGAGE and DIVERT programmes which embeds specialist frontline practitioners in police custody suites to help support young people aged 10-17 and 18-25 away from violence. Alongside this, the VRU funds a leadership programme to upskill youth workers, and has now set up a team of 10 frontline practitioners to advise and further embed youth work in programmes to reduce violence.

The Mayor today visited King’s College Hospital to meet with hospital A&E staff and youth workers from Redthread to hear first-hand about the impact of the partnership work they are doing to help and support young people.

He was joined by Martin Griffiths, a consultant trauma and vascular clinician and national clinical director for violence reduction for NHS England, to champion the joint work between City Hall and the NHS to tackle violence through prevention and early intervention.

Redthread’s programme at King’s began in 2005 and was the first time youth workers were based in a hospital in the UK.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said:

“I am committed to tackling violence and building a safer city for all Londoners.

“My approach of being tough on violence through the hard work of our police and tough on the complex causes of violence, is showing signs of progress. Overall, crime continues to fall in London, bucking the national trend, with knife crime with injury for under 25s and gun crime both down. However, it’s clear more needs to be done in partnership to continue making progress.

“Partnership work from prevention to enforcement is vital to tackling violence and the work my VRU does alongside the NHS and its violence reduction programme is a fantastic example of working together to identify opportunities to intervene early to divert young people and help them access positive life opportunities.”

Lib Peck, Director of London’s Violence Reduction Unit, said:

“We firmly believe that violence is preventable, not inevitable.

“That outcome is based on partnership and is the foundation of the work we do alongside the NHS to tackle violence through prevention and early intervention.

“The VRU is a champion of youth work in our city and the invaluable role they play in a young person’s life. I’m looking forward to building on the progress made with new investment to back up our fantastic youth workers so they can continue making life-changing interventions.”

Martin Griffiths, Consultant Trauma and Vascular Surgeon at Barts Health NHS Trust and National Clinical Director for Violence Reduction (NHS England), said:

“The commitment of both the VRU and the Mayor’s Office to supporting the success of embedded youth workers in Emergency Departments is testimony to the impact these programmes have had in changing the lives of those affected by violence.

“The additional funding guarantees that specialist support is delivered in sync with the expert medical care that our dedicated NHS clinical teams provide and ensures the best outcomes for young people affected by interpersonal injury.

“This is a fantastic example of partnership working between the NHS, the VRU and the Mayor’s office, demonstrating the impact of the public health approach to violence reduction.”

Tracey Burley, Chief Executive, Redthread, said:

“As a charity, we welcome the VRU and Mayor’s office investment of more funding towards embedding youth workers in emergency departments. We work in close partnership with hospitals, health care professionals and other appropriate stakeholders to help put a stop to cycles of violence. Our youth workers work directly within A&E Departments and Major Trauma Centres, meeting with young people affected by violence to provide holistic, bespoke intervention to meet whatever their needs may be, which could include, for example, support for their wellbeing and safety whilst in hospital, help for them to access mental health services or to navigate the criminal justice system if applicable, as circumstances will be unique to each individual youth.

“We find that teachable moments come when young people are reachable in the hospital environment, as the unique setting presents the opportunity to support young people to become experts of their own lives. This new investment in reaching young people at this pivotal moment will make a vital difference to these young people, their families and their communities.”

Cham Harrak, a youth worker at Redthread, said:

“We work directly within A&E and Major Trauma wards, meeting with victims of violence to provide holistic, bespoke interventions to support them through complex and vulnerable moments to make a positive difference.

“It’s essential for our team to have close relationships with the clinical teams to help the young people navigate what is a traumatic experience. We ensure we are advocating for the young person to access the best support and amplify their voice.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 3 October 2022.

Record July temperatures saw number of visitors and workers in central London plummet to only 74 per cent of previous month

Mayor outlines to business leaders and investors how he is tackling climate change and scale of the challenge ahead

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan will today expose the economic impact of July’s record-breaking heatwave, revealing that it led to a significant reduction in the number of visitors and workers to central London.

Sadiq will reveal that the drop in visitors and workers in central London during the heatwave was comparable to the announcement of Plan B Covid restrictions in December 2021 when office workers were encouraged to work from home.

Sadiq will highlight the findings as he warns that failure to tackle climate change will not only lead to more extreme weather events but will also significantly impact the capital’s economy.

July’s heatwave saw temperatures surpass 40 degrees Celsius for the first time in London and the UK’s history. This saw devastating fires rage across the capital prompting London Fire Brigade (LFB) to declare a major incident. Today, the Mayor will for the first time reveal the economic impact of the searing heat.

Speaking at the Reuters IMPACT Conference alongside business leaders and innovators, the Mayor will reveal that on Monday, July 18, when temperatures in London exceeded 35 degrees, there were 385,640 daytime workers in central London, when 518,000 workers would usually be expected. This equates to just 74 per cent of footfall compared to June 2022.

On the same day, there were 275,000 daytime visitors to central London, when a normal day would expect to see more than 361,000 people. This equates to just 76 per cent of June 2022 footfall.

Speaking about the impact of climate change at Reuters today, Sadiq is expected to say:

“For decades, we’ve known this train has been hurtling in our direction. But it’s only now that it’s finally caught up with us that the sense of crisis is at its most acute.

“On the 19th of July temperatures in our city soared to 40 degrees. For the first time ever, London overheated.

“Vicious wildfires overwhelmed emergency services. Destroyed homes. And infrastructure was crippled by extreme heat.

“We also saw a dramatic drop in footfall across central London to the detriment of our businesses.”

“When we look back at this period of history no one will be able claim with any credibility that we were not given fair warning – that we could not see disaster bearing down on us.

“That’s why, as Mayor I’ve refused to stand idly.”

Since becoming Mayor, Sadiq has been doing all he can to tackle climate changes.

He has made record investments in green jobs, skills and infrastructure – as part of his Green New Deal and moved London’s target for Net Zero forward from 2050 to 2030.

He has also delivered a fivefold increase in protected cycling lanes, put more electric and hydrogen powered buses on London’s roads, cleaned up the taxi fleet and delivered hundreds of new electric vehicle charging points.

He has also taken some of the boldest and most ambitious action of any city in the world to clean up London’s air and bring down emissions by introducing the Ultra-Low Emission Zone and is now consulting on expanding the ULEZ London-wide next year.

On the scale of the challenge ahead, Sadiq is expected to say:

“Crises do often take an age to arrive. But we can be in no doubt – this one – the climate crisis – is now upon us.

“Humanity has been too slow off the mark, but momentum is with now with us – with the people here who believe in our capacity for change and in our ability to adapt.

“The challenge is daunting, but we should take hope from the scale of our ambition and the strength of our resolve.”

On working with business to tackle climate change, Sadiq is expected to say:

“Our success rests on collaboration – on all of us working in unison for a better tomorrow.

“And it’s in this spirit I’ve sought to engage with London’s business community.

“But to meet our 2030 Net Zero target, London will need to go much further, much faster. Our estimate puts the figure in excess of £75 billion worth of investment.

“And we simply can’t deliver that without the private sector, without you.

“I know you’re all dealing with inflationary pressures right now, but there are huge opportunities – and rewards – to be seized by accelerating our efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2030.

“London’s ambition for a sustainable economy is within reach. And with your help, it can – and will – be achieved.

“Delivering not just profits for our businesses, but security and prosperity for all.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 30 September 2022.

• Mayor announces updated London Markets Board, a team of industry experts and experienced business leaders who will support London markets and help them to thrive 
• Sadiq makes it easier for traders to book market pitches by streamlining application process
• Sadiq visits the Blue Market in Bermondsey, which has gained a new lease of life, thanks to £2m from the Mayor’s Good Growth Fund (GGF)

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today announced an updated group of experts that will help support markets across London to flourish as places of entrepreneurship and innovation.

The group of 19 business leaders, traders and entrepreneurs have all been appointed to the Mayor’s London Markets Board and will advise the Mayor on action to support and promote the capital’s wholesale, street and covered markets and help to deliver a London markets strategy.

The Mayor also today launched Openmarkets.london – a new website which will make it easier for young people and new traders to access pitches on markets right across London by streamlining the licence application process.

With more and more Londoners struggling as a result of the cost of living crisis, markets have never been more important in the capital.

These latest experts will build on the work of the Mayor’s first London Markets Board, which was set up in 2017 to help ensure that markets across London thrive.

The new board will devise a new action plan to support street markets to realise their full potential. Key priorities for the board include working with the sector to –

• • Showcase and test new ideas
  • Attract new traders and trades to the sector
  • Explore circular economy practices being tested across London
  • Explore tools and data that help markets to demonstrate their impact within local communities, economies and London

The Mayor announced the new Board members today as he visited the Blue Market, Bermondsey, which has been completely regenerated thanks to £2m of funding from his Good Growth Fund. The Blue Market has a long, rich history in the capital and this funding has built on The Blue Market’s identity as the ‘Larder of London’. While at the market, Sadiq met with local market traders and young people who have participated in the regeneration of the site.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “I’m delighted to appoint 19 experts to the London Markets Board. They will help ensure that markets like The Blue Market in Bermondsey can continue to thrive and serve the community in the best way possible.

“Markets in London play a crucial role in the capital. Not only do they enable people to buy goods and services from others in their community, they are also great hubs where people from all backgrounds and ages can socialise and connect.

“As the cost of living continues to rise I want to ensure that markets remain a key staple in the local community. The new members of the London Markets Board will help to build a better London for everyone – a safe, fairer, greener and more prosperous city for all Londoners.”

Markets are crucial to London’s economy, providing opportunities for new businesses to set up and grow, and routes into work for Londoners of all backgrounds. They also offer affordable options for Londoners, providing low-cost options for food, clothes and other goods, which is more important than ever in the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The Board will continue to support the sector to raise the profile and value of London’s markets as well as lobby for the resources and tools they need to remain a thriving and vital part of our city.

During the pandemic the Mayor has supported the recovery of street markets through programmes including his Good Growth Fund and High Streets for All scheme.

Helen Evans, co-chair of the London Markets Board said: “There has never been a more important time to support and raise the profile of markets in London and that is why I am delighted to co-chair the London Markets Board for its second time. I look forward to working with colleagues from across the sector to ensure that London’s markets continue to bring vibrancy, opportunity and diversity to the capital’s high streets. “

Cllr Kieron Williams, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “I’m delighted to welcome the Mayor of London to Bermondsey today to see the fantastic work the local community, businesses and council have been doing together to bring the buzz back to The Blue.

“Thanks to the Mayor’s Good Growth Fund we’ve been able to invest £2m into renewing the heart of Bermondsey’s historic town centre. Providing a real boost for local businesses.

“With the cost of living soaring, good value, vibrant street markets like this one have a vital role to play in making our borough and city affordable for all.”

Russell Dryden, local resident and market trader said: “The completion of the ‘Made in Bermondsey’ community led regeneration project represents a turning point in the area’s history and offers a once in a generation opportunity to empower and strengthen the community.

“We now have a solid foundation to build a more positive perception of the area and drive forward the rebirth of the ‘Blue’ to fulfil the projects long term vision for a modern, cosmopolitan, multicultural, community with a thriving business economy and a vibrant market at its heart.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 28 September 2022.

Antelope by Samson Kambalu was unveiled today as the next sculpture on the Fourth Plinth in London’s Trafalgar Square.

The Fourth Plinth is renowned across the globe for bringing world-class contemporary art to London’s most prominent historical public square and Antelope is the 14th commission since the programme of artworks began in 1998.

Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, Samson Kambalu’s bronze resin sculpture restages a photograph of Baptist preacher and pan-Africanist John Chilembwe and European missionary John Chorley, taken in 1914 in Nyasayland (now Malawi) at the opening of Chilembwe’s new Baptist church.

Chilembwe is wearing a hat, defying the colonial rule that forbade Africans from wearing hats in front of white people, and is almost twice the size of Chorley. By increasing his scale, the artist is elevating Chilembwe and his story, revealing the hidden narratives of underrepresented peoples in the history of the British Empire in Africa, and beyond.

John Chilembwe was a Baptist pastor and educator who led an uprising in 1915 against British colonial rule in Nyasaland triggered by the mistreatment of refugees from Mozambique and the conscription to fight German troops during WWI. He was killed and his church destroyed by the colonial police. Though his rebellion was ultimately unsuccessful, Malawi, which gained independence in 1964, celebrates John Chilembwe Day on January 15th and the uprising is viewed as the beginning of the Malawi independence struggle.

The artist, Samson Kambalu, was born in 1975 in Malawi, and now lives and works in Oxford where he is Associate Professor of Fine Art and a lifelong fellow at Magdalen College, Oxford University.

His sculpture, which was made in Deptford, was selected by the Fourth Plinth Commission Group, chaired by Ekow Eshun, following an exhibition at the National Gallery where nearly 17,500 people commented on the selection.

For over two decades, The Fourth Plinth has showcased the work of great artists who have not shied away from tackling the important issues of the day. Yinka Shonibare CBE considered the legacy of British colonialism in Nelson’s Ship in a Bottle. Katharina Fritsch commented on gender equality and the masculine posturing in the square with her work Hahn/Cock. Michael Rakowitz’s recreation of the Lamassu, a winged bull and protective deity that was destroyed in Nineveh (near modern day Mosul) in 2015 shone a light on the devastating impact of war on cultural heritage, and Heather Phillipson’s THE END presented a giant swirl of whipped cream, a cherry, a fly and a drone that transmits a live feed of Trafalgar Square, suggesting both exuberance and unease and responding to Trafalgar Square as a site of celebration and protest.

Antelope will be on the Fourth Plinth until September 2024 and is a highlight of the inaugural Sculpture Week London, a new initiative that will celebrate public art throughout London in a collaboration between Frieze, Sculpture in the City and the Mayor of London’s Fourth Plinth Programme.

The Fourth Plinth is funded by the Mayor of London, Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies. It features on Bloomberg Connects, the free app that allows users to access over 100 museums, galleries, and cultural spaces around the world anytime, anywhere. Through the Fourth Plinth guide, users can access a range of exclusive content, including a video of Kambalu discussing the Fourth Plinth installation and his practice more broadly, information on past commissions and a welcome from Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries.

Samson Kambalu said: “I am thrilled to have been invited to create a work for London’s most iconic public space, and to see John Chilembwe’s story elevated. Antelope on the Fourth Plinth was ever going to be a litmus test for how much I belong to British society as an African and a cosmopolitan. Chilembwe selected himself for the Fourth Plinth, as though he waited for this moment. He died in an uprising but ends up victorious.”

Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, said: “I’m delighted that Samson Kambalu’s inspiring sculpture has become the latest to take its place on the Fourth Plinth. Our world-renowned sculpture prize entertains, educates and inspires. Samson is shining a light on an often overlooked part of our country’s history and I’m sure it will encourage discussion about the fight for freedom and equality. As we continue to fight against racism and stand-up for equality across our city and country, it is a message that remains just as important today.”

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The Fourth Plinth is a symbol of our capital’s world-leading creativity and a clear sign of the importance of the culture to our city. For more than two decades, it has showcased the work of great artists and sparked conversation and debate about a wide range of subjects. By revealing how a simple hat became a symbol for the fight for equality, Samson Kambalu’s bronze sculpture will send an important message to Londoners and the millions who visit Trafalgar Square every year.”

Ekow Eshun, Chair of the Fourth Plinth Commissioning Group, said: “Antelope is something of a Trojan Horse. At first glance it appears like a traditional bronze statue, similar to the other statues around Trafalgar Square. But it is subtly subversive, highlighting the bravery and legacy of an underrepresented figure in the history of the British Empire in Africa. This sculpture tells a fascinating story, one that deserves to be better known and shared with all of London”.

Jemma Read, Global Head of Corporate Philanthropy at Bloomberg LP, said: “The Fourth plinth is a unique installation which celebrates our global influences and acknowledges our shared history. Samson Kambalu’s Antelope is an important addition to this iconic space, shedding light on a pivotal moment and encouraging challenging conversations. We’re proud to support the Mayor of London to bring this work to life and to enable communities around the world to experience it through the Bloomberg Connects guide.”

The press release issued by the Mayor of London on 8 September 2022.

The role of the London Assembly is to hold the Mayor of London and Mayoral advisers to account by publicly examining policies and programmes on behalf of Londoners.

With multi-billion-pound budgets and programmes covering many essential services, the work of the GLA and its functional bodies is vast and complex.

Local authorities are required to produce and maintain a forward plan of key decisions. TfL also does this.

The Assembly calls on the Mayor to exceed statutory requirements and do the same in the aid of transparency, effective scrutiny and the best use of resources.

Siân Berry AM, who proposed the motion said:

“Too often the Mayor’s decisions come without warning and it is not right that we are unable to carry out our duty to scrutinise the Mayor’s work until it is too late to make changes.

“All London councils publish forward plans as a statutory requirement, so it does not make sense that the Mayor of London, who oversees a multi-billion pound budget, will not offer us the same transparency.

“The Mayor needs to be open and clear with Londoners about decisions that will directly affect their lives and the Assembly is right to ask for this information. I hope the Mayor will agree and routinely publish a forward plan of his decisions and consultations in future.”

Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who seconded the motion said:

“No one likes surprises but all too often, announcements and decisions from the Mayor come out of the blue. As the body which is democratically elected to scrutinise those decisions, we are simply asking for no more surprises.

“If councils in the capital can publish forward plans to enable Londoners to transparently see what decisions are expected and when, surely the Mayor of London can do the same.”

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly exists to hold the Mayor and Mayoral advisers to account by publicly examining policies and programmes on behalf of Londoners.

With multi-billion-pound budgets, and programmes covering many of London’s essential services, the workstreams of the GLA and its five functional bodies are vast and complex.

This Assembly notes that under Part III additional requirements in respect of key decisions and public meetings of The Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2000, local authorities are required to produce and maintain a public forward plan of key decisions.

This Assembly also notes that the Transport for London (TfL) Board and its Committees and Panels also produce forward plans. Forward plans list upcoming decisions and consultations, to aid transparency, effective scrutiny and best use of resources.

We call on the Mayor to exceed the statutory requirements of his office and publish a similar forward plan.