The Mayor’s Budget for 2025-26

The GLA needs to support social housing suppply via direct land purchases and supporting a proper diversity of suppliers and operators rather that only going for large developers of public lands. This will require government giving the GLA powers to borrow for such work e.g. bond issue based on long term rental returns. The LCC and GLC have a great record for city wide not for profit housing provision. Borough level housing supply is not an effective way of dealing with the ongoing housing crisis and has resulted in massive displacement of citizens as social housing provision has shrunk, the population has risen and rent levels soared to unaffordable levels. 

Given that TFL ignores feedback it receives on changes to bus routes why not just save money by not doing them? They will make the changes they want anyway. For example see the report into the 118/59/45 changes where almost all responses were against the change but you had an 85 page report saying why bus users were wrong and the plan was going to go ahead. 

The continued commitment to providing free school meals for all primary children is very welcome. But it is a huge worry to see that two thirds of the savings on expenditure to be made in 2025-6 (£96m of £142m) appear to be coming out of the budget for children and young people.  

The Mayor announced the day after his re-election that it is his aspiration to make London the best city in the world to grow up in. Currently families are leaving (especially central) London in droves. The cost of living is largely to blame and investing in social and affordable housing may help. But directly supporting children and young people and ensuring London is a place where families can grow and thrive is essential for a future successful city. 

The Mayor also seems focused on 'youth' as the answer to reducing crime. But positive interventions need to be made earlier. Investing in services and spaces for play in the heart of communities should be a key priority. Play is vital for children and provides a focus for diverse communities to come together, fostering cohesion and building positive perceptions of neighbourhoods. 

For example London's 70 or so staffed adventure playgrounds do an amazing job of providing not only a quality play environment for children growing up in some of the capital's least affluent areas but also a stigma-free hub for the community dispensing hot meals, advice, sign posting or a listening ear. But they are without exception struggling for survival. 

Support for these places and funding for more would ensure that London's children have the best possible start in life. 

If children matter for the Mayor, play needs to be prioritised in the budget and in the messaging coming from City Hall. 

For all 1.8m children in London. 

Top priorities for the mayor should be the basic public services of MPS, TfL and the fire service. The mayor's role should be to encourage efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Next priority is the economy, which the mayor can encourage by minimising the precept. 

The economy must be top priority because with it thriving, there will be money for other things. Without it there will be no money.

Transport is the biggest budget area but sadly, I can't support more spending along the lines asked in the survey because it will be taken as an OK to build more unnecessary, congesting bike lanes, LTNs, ULEZ expansion and 20 mph zones, which are economically destructive and which don't have mass public support.

If anything, money is needed to undo them!

Net zero and the climate crisis are excuses for implementing vile, authoritarian policies which infringe our liberties, congest the roads and extort cash from motorists for doing nothing wrong... that is an appalling abuse of power.

I work in the film and tv production business. There are so many stories shared bewteen our colleages regarding theft in London. Thieves are becoming much more organised and high-value thefts of camera equipment are now common. People are followed home after jobs and broken into, or cameras and equipment are taken right from a working set by bandits on motorcycles. Some colleagues have tracked their items to places and shared info with police. Police say they can't enter these places to investigate. It is as if professional thieves in London now act with complete impunity. The law does not seem up to the task and insurance has skyrocketed to compensate. It appears like a racket. This is the most pressing issue for me, because if my equipment gets stolen my business could fail. Please tackle crime, phone theft, e-bike theft, all theft, as it's rampant now. 

Those who complain about transport clearly have not travelled much. As annoying as travel disruptions can be, London still has the best network in the world. The only concerning thing is that the air quality in the underground is atrocious in many stations and lines. Not sure what can be done about it, but the particulate matter is harmful, quite possibly more so than that of the cars that are so vilified. 

Piccadilly Line needs improvements. Local planning laws still need careful decisions and listen to local neighbourhoods concerns. There are many cowboy planners who will take advantage of the urgency to increase homes for the homeless. Be careful abot balancing needs with ensuring cowboy applications are still given due process. 

The transport system In London is embarrassing! So expensive, dirty, and unreliable. District line has constant signal failures. I end up driving to work as can’t rely on the tubes. Roads are gridlocked, 20mph limits on majority of roads and when is the Hammersmith Bridge going to be fixed? Crime has increased year on year amidst continued police spending cuts. Mobile phone theft and violence against women is catastrophic and what happens: the Major gets knighted! No wonder London is in such a sorry state. Send him to Japan where he can marvel at their efficiency but don’t give him a return ticket! 

I’m not sure why housing and cost of living were separate categories. If housing was affordable then this would very much reduce the cost of living.

In terms of policing I would really prioritise policing against violence against women and girls specifically in high risk areas including further policing of domestic abuse and catcalling!

Nothing the Mayor does will have any impact whatsoever on the climate, therefore every penny spent for that purpose is wasted at a time when every penny is needed for investment to solve the housing crisis, an area where the Mayor can and should make a change and really benefit Londoners.

• Businesses, not the government, should be the main drivers of wealth and economic growth.
• Focus on businesses that truly help customers and make things right the first time. This will make everyone more productive.
• The government's role should be simple:
  • Keep people safe (law and order)
  • Maintain a clean and well-run city
  • Ensure fair rules and laws for everyone
  • Protect people's freedom
• Lower taxes so people can keep more of their own money and live their lives as they choose.

Stop bashing the drivers. Forget pay per  mile.  Abandon the ridiculous net zero schemes, I'm sure there are better things to spend money on. If people want cleaner air, move out of the city.

Based on my recent experience of public transport not working, public transport should be the top priority. Without transport, everything grinds to a halt and has a bad impact on the economy.

Also, if you want to help people with the cost of living, you should try and reduce the amount you are spending overall (eg avoid nice to have expenditure and focus on necessities) so that people's related taxes may be reduced as well.

I am of the opinion that special consideration must be paid to provision of affordable housing, look for viable ways to boost the economy, revive NHS by discouraging Privatisation, and better pay for nurses, and boost the effective performance of fire brigade in the country. Thanks. 

London's top priority should be ensuring affordable housing for all, especially considering the large number of individuals who struggle to afford the extortionate prices of commercial rent.

Ensuring the safety and security of our community is paramount, especially with the prevalence of drugs and aggressive dogs on our streets. 

Establishing additional youth clubs where young people can find a secure and welcoming environment is essential to deter them from engaging in harmful activities.

It is essential to stop dog owners from leaving their pets' waste in green spaces and streets, as it is unsanitary and unpleasant.

We must address anti-social behaviour with the seriousness it deserves, and those responsible for causing disturbances should be promptly removed from the premises.

It's time to rethink our approach to home construction, as building houses too close together is causing overcrowding in our neighbourhoods.

1. Key Priorities for London in the Coming Year

a. Cost of Living Crisis:

• Why? Londoners face one of the highest costs of living in the UK, with rising housing costs, energy bills, and food prices. Supporting low-income families and key workers should be a top priority.

b. Affordable Housing and Rent Controls:

• Why? London’s housing market remains unaffordable for many, and more investment is needed in social housing and rent controls to prevent displacement and homelessness.

c. Public Transport Infrastructure:

• Why? Maintaining and expanding public transport is crucial for the economy and reducing emissions. Ensuring affordable fares while improving services will help residents and commuters.

d. Green Initiatives and Climate Action:

• Why? With air pollution and climate change posing long-term risks, the focus should remain on expanding clean energy, promoting electric vehicles, and funding greener public spaces.

e. Crime Reduction and Community Safety:

• Why? Rising concerns around knife crime and anti-social behavior must be addressed through youth programs, increased police presence, and community outreach initiatives.

f. Education and Childcare Support:

• Why? Families are struggling with childcare costs. Expanding funding for affordable nurseries and schools will directly benefit working parents.

2. Use of Additional Central Government Support

a. Increase Affordable Housing Grants:

• Funds should be directed toward building more affordable housing and tackling homelessness, ensuring key workers and vulnerable families can remain in London.

b. Subsidize Public Transport:

• Additional funds could help freeze or reduce fares on buses and the Tube, benefiting commuters and low-income residents.

c. Boost Local Business Support:

• Invest in small and medium-sized businesses to sustain job growth and economic recovery. Grants and tax reliefs for businesses in retail, hospitality, and tourism would stimulate local economies.

d. Expand Healthcare and Mental Health Services:

• Post-pandemic recovery requir