Since the start of the pandemic, the Mayor of London and the Government have been in discussions about the future of Transport for London’s (TfL) finances.
The most recent TfL funding deal is due to run out in April 2021.
The London Assembly has today called on the Government to publish the KPMG review of TfL immediately.
Dr Alison Moore AM, who proposed the motion said:
“It is beggars’ belief that eight months on from the Department for Transport’s commissioning of KPMG to look into TfL’s finances, the full report still hasn’t been put out in the public domain.
“The KPMG report was paid for with taxpayers’ money. With the Government demanding that TfL reshapes its business model in return for short-term bursts of emergency funding, Londoners have the right to know about its conclusions. Back in October, we heard that even TfL’s Commissioner had only been given a heavily redacted copy of it.
“What we do know is that the current Mayor reduced TfL’s net cost of operations by 71% and increased its cash reserves by 13%, before the pandemic hit and decimated fares revenues.
“The Department for Transport must publish the KPMG report immediately as by not putting it in the public domain suggests that there might be something to hide.”
Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM, who seconded the motion said:
“Last October London’s business leaders wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport urging that the KPMG report was published.
“They argued for the sake of building trust and cooperation between London and the country, the report should be published immediately.
“They were absolutely right. We cannot have a proper debate about TfL’s finances when such an important report, paid for by the taxpayer, is being kept secret.
“To ensure London is treated fairly this report must be made public.”
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly puts on record its disappointment with the lack of transparency from the Government with regards to the non-publication of the Government-led review, by KPMG, into TfL finances and calls for it to be published immediately.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed 13 votes for and 5 against.
- Dr. Alison Moore AM who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Aoife Nolan on 07849 303 897. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer.