• Reference: 2024/2824
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

A constituent informs me that Uber pays £92,000 per year to Transport for London (TfL) for their public licence to operate in London. In contrast, the average Uber driver pays TfL £2.78 in licence fees for every 25 journeys. Could you tell me how the levels of these charges were set, and what plans you have, if any, to change this fee structure when Uber renews its operating licence in September?

• Reference: 2024/2823
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

A constituent has asked: a) what changes to the Knowledge of London test are planned, b) how soon are any changes likely to be introduced, and c) do you have any plans to promote becoming a black cab driver to prospective applicants who may be put off by the four years it currently takes to qualify?

• Reference: 2024/2822
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

A constituent has asked whether you are concerned that in London the number of licensed taxis is currently at a 40-year low, while the number of licensed private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers is at an almost all-time high, and do you have plans to address this in your new Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan?

• Reference: 2024/2821
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

Can you provide data on social value relating to business tenants on the Places for London (PfL) estate including numbers of: a) BAME-owned and run businesses, b) female-owned and run businesses, c) music venues, d) LGBTQ+ spaces, and e) Foundational Businesses (based on the Welsh Government definition of the Foundational Economy).

• Reference: 2024/2820
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

Which stakeholders were included in developing the Places for London (PfL) sustainability strategy regarding the affordability of workspaces on the commercial estate?

• Reference: 2024/2819
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

Is there a strategy for affordable commercial rents within the Places for London (PfL) sustainability strategy? If so, how is social value included in the strategy and what was the methodology used to determine social value? And what, if any, safeguards are in place to protect existing tenants who provide social value?

• Reference: 2024/2818
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

In 2021 you agreed to meet the East End Trades Guild (EETG) to discuss sites for a Community Land Trust to provide affordable workspace. In May 2024, you re-committed to this meeting along with your Deputy Mayors. Could you explain why the meeting with the EETG has still not happened?

• Reference: 2024/2817
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

A constituent has raised concerns with me about the July closures of CS3 at Birdcage Walk, at least one of which was closed with no warning and no diversion signed. I understand from Transport for London (TfL) that: “Royal Parks have to close the cycleway multiple times during the summer months in relation to the ceremonial events that take place in this area. This is due to security reasons and closures are implemented by the Metropolitan Police Service based on counter terrorism assessments” and that: “We are investigating further how Journey Planner highlights cycleway closures. There are a number of...

• Reference: 2024/2816
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

A constituent has raised concerns about the procurement by Go-Ahead Group of more than 100 all-electric double decker buses from Chinese company BYD. They cite concerns about its violating human and labour rights and reliance on forced labour, as outlined in the February 2024 report, Human and Labour Rights Violations at BYD, CATL and EVE Energy: A comparison, from Globalworks Lund AB. Could you tell me what ethical and humans rights checks Transport for London (TfL) carried out with Go-Ahead Group during contract negotiations?

• Reference: 2024/2815
• Question by: Caroline Russell
• Meeting date: 12 September 2024

On 4 March 2021 the London Assembly unanimously passed my motion on pedestrian crossings. We asked “the Mayor to use this junction review to work with local councils to develop a plan to ensure that every junction that has signals to control motor traffic, also has signal protected pedestrian crossings on every arm by 2030.” Could you give me an update on the work you have done with councils on this issue?