News from Darren Johnson AM: Alternative budget proposed for equality, environment & cheaper fares

Abstract: An alternative budget is being proposed at the meeting of the London Assembly on 25 January which is discussing the Mayor’s draft budget and possible amendments

 At today’s London Assembly meeting, which is discussing the Mayor’s draft budget, Darren Johnson AM is proposing an amendment, which he maintains would help Londoners who are facing high unemployment, falling real incomes, soaring rents and fares, as well as environmental problems such as dangerous air pollution and cold homes. He considers that his alternative budget would tackle these problems head on, by  

• Helping low income Londoners, and reducing inequality
• Protecting and improving key services, including safer neighbourhood policing, public transport and cycling infrastructure
• Delivering warm energy efficient homes and cleaner air
• Keeping the council tax the same, reducing the fare rise, and raising extra money from motorists.

 Darren Johnson said:

 “We will bring down the fare rise below inflation, saving a typical household about £40 a year. Instead we will raise more from motorists and introduce a congestion charge zone around the heavily congested and polluted Heathrow area. Our budget provides funds for a feasibility study of a fairer “pay-as-you-go” road pricing scheme, which would charge a rate per mile driven, with higher charges for more congested roads and times of day. This could provide a significant new income stream of around £1b a year, with cuts to fares ensuring it will be financially neutral for a typical household, and substantially less congested roads with cleaner air through out London.

 “Our police budget does not change the total amount of money but it does change priorities. We provide more resources for safer neighbourhood policing, road safety, and preventative work with young people and gangs. We are able to achieve this partly through employing (usually cheaper) civilian staff wherever they can do the work as well or better than a warranted officer. Success should be measured by results not by uniformed officer numbers.

 “London’s serious air pollution problem needs radical measures and proper investment. This is provided by the Green budget, which will fund the introduction of a Very Low Emission Zone in central London where only clean vehicles are allowed, replace an additional 100 standard buses with cleaner hybrid models, and help taxi owners replace polluting vehicles.

 “Without increasing the council tax, the alternative Green budget radically recasts priorities to make real progress in tackling some of London’s most long-standing problems.”

 ENDS

 Press Officer: 020 7983 4424