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Press Release Getting the best possible deal for Londoners from GLA's international offices Ian Clement, Deputy Mayor for Government Relations, has announced today the outcomes of a study into the role and effectiveness of the Greater London Authority’s international offices. The review, which was a manifesto commitment by the Mayor, considered whether the GLA’s offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Beijing, Shanghai and Brussels provide value for money and their role in promoting London overseas. The review found the rationale for London to have offices in key emerging markets is fundamentally sound but that there is real scope for cutting costs in how the offices are run, for example, by reallocating the offices to cheaper premises or changing staff structures in order to reduce staffing costs.
Ian Clement said, ‘It is absolutely essential given the current financial crisis that we do everything within our power to promote the capital in major markets around the world to ensure London emerges strongly from the downturn. ‘We have taken a serious look at whether taxpayers' money is being spent wisely and how to get the best possible deal for Londoners. The review has found that the GLA’s offices do play an important role in promoting London’s interests, from supporting the capital’s businesses and to enhancing the image of our city around the world. ‘However there are significant savings that we can make to deliver greater value for money. We are in discussions with organisations including the UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the Corporation of London to investigate efficiency savings through measures such as sharing offices. ‘We have already made over £100,000 savings from the closure of the GLA’s office in Caracas and consultancy contract in Moscow and I am determined that we will make further efficiencies to get better value for money for taxpayers.” The findings will now form part of a wider review of how London is promoted internationally by a number of agencies in London. Ends. Notes to Editors 1. Review of the GLA’s Overseas Offices 2008. More: www.london.gov.uk
2. Mayor to consider strategic role and costs of GLA's international offices (27-5-2008) More: http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=17076
3. On 25th May 2008 the Mayor announced the energy funding agreement between London and Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, which was instituted under the last mayoral administration, will not be renewed when it concludes on August 20th this year. The office set up in Caracas to oversee the deal will be closed, saving an estimated £67,000 per year in running and staff costs, with work to shut down the operation having already begun.
4. GLA Economics are developing a measure of the economic contribution of the offices that will provide an ongoing way of assessing the extent to which the offices are providing value for money.
5. The closure of the GLA’s office in Caracas saved £67,000 per year and the termination of the consultancy contract in Moscow has saved £55,420 over 4 years.
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