• Reference: 2023/3149
• Question by: Marina Ahmad
• Meeting date: 14 September 2023

I welcome your announcement that seven businesses have been recently awarded up to £50,000 each to help communities affected by the cost-of-living crisis. When do you expect for Londoners to be able to access these new resources?

• Reference: 2023/3148
• Question by: Marina Ahmad
• Meeting date: 14 September 2023

What are you doing to support London Challenge Poverty Week this year, which is 16-22 October 2023?

• Reference: 2023/3147
• Question by: Marina Ahmad
• Meeting date: 14 September 2023

Research by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that the Universal Credit uplift led to a sharp fall in the number of households living in absolute poverty during the 18 months it was in force. The Institute for Fiscal Studies also found that the cost of living payments scheme would have been better spent on raising value of benefits. What conversations have you had with the Government on behalf of Londoners regarding an increase to the level of Universal Credit?

• Reference: 2023/3146
• Question by: Marina Ahmad
• Meeting date: 14 September 2023

Child Poverty Action Group have found that going to school in the UK costs families of primary school children at least £864.87 a year, or £18.69 a week before childcare costs are accounted for. For families of secondary school children, this increases to £1,755.97 a year, £39.01 a week. How can parents in London be best supported with these additional costs at the start of this school year during the continuing cost of living crisis?

• Reference: 2023/3145
• Question by: Marina Ahmad
• Meeting date: 14 September 2023

A report funded by the Trust for London has found that more than 3.5 million Londoners have an income below what is needed for a “basic standard of living”. It found that Londoners needed to earn substantially more to achieve a minimum standard of living, amid rising food and energy costs. How have you been working with Government and employers to raise incomes in London?

• Reference: 2023/3144
• Question by: Marina Ahmad
• Meeting date: 14 September 2023

What are the benefits of the rollout of your Universal Free School Meals initiative to London’s primary school children this month and how have you worked with boroughs and schools to implement it?