Funding London’s priorities

Providing affordable housing feels crucial to helping London to thrive. Many workers on low paid jobs are being pushed out of the city, despite us needing these workers for London. More affordable housing will also mean that people have more of a disposable income to spend in London’s restaurants, shops, bars etc.  

We need to tackle empty properties before building on London’s green spaces. It’s not ok that there are 38,000 long term empty homes. Let’s get them lived in! I am also disappointed that Bexley council have their own property company which have developments planned that include zero affordable homes. This should not be happening.

I feel improving public transport, especially in outer boroughs, will help to with reducing emissions. I’m not in favour of encouraging electric cars as they just create new environmental issues. Instead encouraging people to use public transport, walk or cycle benefits everyone, including car drivers with less traffic on the roads. In my borough a 10 car minute journey can take 40 on public transport. 

 

More pedestrianisation. More safe bike paths.  Less car parking. Fewer private motor cars. 

Safety First: The One Key That Unlocks Affordable Homes, Stronger Economy and Cleaner Air

London can only become fairer, safer and greener if we tackle the real root cause: crime, especially petty crime. Everything else – housing, cost of living, economic growth and even clean air – flows from getting this right.

A city where people feel safe at night attracts businesses, tourists and investment. Shops stay open later, new jobs appear, wages rise. When Londoners earn more, they can cover rising costs and even afford private rents or mortgages without endless subsidies. A wealthier city also generates the tax revenue needed to expand the Tube, electrify buses, plant trees and finally clean our toxic air.

The urgent starting point is petty crime. The famous Broken Windows Theory, backed by decades of evidence, shows that tolerating small disorder – graffiti, fare-dodging, aggressive begging, vandalism, gangs, phone snatching – signals that “no one cares”, inviting serious crime. Crack down early and firmly, and the spiral reverses.

New York proved it works. Under Mayor Bloomberg (2002-2013), rigorous enforcement of minor offences drove overall crime down nearly 60 %. Times Square went from no-go zone to global icon, property values soared, unemployment fell, and the city’s budget moved into surplus – money later spent on Citi Bike, Hudson River parks and drastic air-quality improvements.

London does not need to copy every New York tactic, but we must copy the principle: stop ignoring broken windows. More visible, community-rooted policing, swift sanctions for low-level offending, and proper supervision of policemen will rebuild trust and cut crime fast.

Only a safer London will become a richer London. Only a richer London can deliver truly affordable homes and truly green streets for everyone.

Safety is not just one priority among many – it is the foundation for all the others.

London authorities need to wake up to dealing with drugs and drug related crimes, like cannabis induced psychotic ones. We don't want to end up like some American cities. I recognise this is not easy but tolerance is becoming negligence when comparing lack of enforcement where harmful cannabis is involved compared to the controls around alcohol and tobacco.

5G service needs to be expanded both in the tube and around the city in general. There are way too many areas that have no service. Additionally every street should be lined with trees to help cool the city during the summer and improve air quality. Not enough is being done to facilitate the planting of mature trees. Most new trees being planted are small and not robost.

I haven’t seen this in the survey but I think a top priority must be expanding the 5G network for the tube lines. It is very unfortunate that a major developed metropolis like London lacks this in many stations - whereas most cities anywhere in the world has this nowadays. I am sure this will boost productivity as well as life quality.

The transport is very expensive. People bunk the trains because they can’t afford to pay for the service to get to their jobs. On top of that, the trains are often with issues (having delays or being completely suspended). So we pay a lot to take the tube for it to not even work properly.

Survey is far too general.

For examples: 

1. Transport for central & north London is generally excellent whereas south of the river and some outer boroughs is less so.

2. In north London there are plenty of cycle lanes to the detriment of pedestrians. 

3. Some areas have good park & play facilities, others not.

It would have been better to have different surveys for different regions of London.

though i would live for all of these to be worked on equally. the current state does not allow for it. that being said, ‘London’ starts from your house, from your door. culture is already diverse here, so is it something that should be funded right now along side crime or housing crises? if anything culture in the short term can live off of community, which can be done only when other things that assure positivity are sorted. right now everythings being thrown here and there for no real reason. i think it may be best we cover anything that affects our health and our money, so that we can reinvest into our adjacent communities.

Step free access should be available at more stations a 40 minute journey can take 3.5 hours if you have a wheelchair for example barking lifts out of order to relocate because of fare dodgers meanwhile cutting off hundreds of disabled people from moving around London because added 1.5 hours each way 

Across London, a critical barrier is preventing youth groups, community organisations, and grassroots projects from reaching the young people who need them most: the lack of affordable, accessible space.

As taxpayers, we all contribute to maintaining our local state schools — public assets built for the benefit of our communities. Yet outside school hours these facilities sit largely unused, while community organisations struggle to find safe, suitable venues to deliver much-needed activities for children and young people.

Why are schools not systematically opened in the evenings and at weekends for community use, either free of charge or at a minimal cost to cover caretaking and utilities? This would require no major financial investment and could immediately unlock hundreds of welcoming, fully equipped spaces across every borough.

I currently run a community school within a state primary school, but the fees charged are simply unsustainable for a not-for-profit organisation. The very spaces designed to serve our communities are becoming financially inaccessible to those delivering the most impactful work.

Meanwhile, school grounds remain closed at weekends, denying safe places for young people to learn, create, and connect — exactly what is needed to keep them away from the streets and engaged in positive activities.

For years I have raised this issue in forums and meetings with local councils, yet meaningful progress remains slow. The solution is already in our hands.

Opening school facilities to community groups would represent a powerful investment in local wellbeing: strengthening families, supporting youth development, and building a deeper sense of belonging within our neighbourhoods — all at minimal cost.

Our public spaces should serve our public purpose. It is time to unlock schools for the communities who fund them and who urgently need them.

Silvia Rossi-Fermo

Clube dos Brasileirinhos Heritage and Cultural Centre CIC 

Across London, a critical barrier is preventing youth groups, community organisations, and grassroots projects from reaching the young people who need them most: the lack of affordable, accessible space.

As taxpayers, we all contribute to maintaining our local state schools — public assets built for the benefit of our communities. Yet outside school hours these facilities sit largely unused, while community organisations struggle to find safe, suitable venues to deliver much-needed activities for children and young people.

Why are schools not systematically opened in the evenings and at weekends for community use, either free of charge or at a minimal cost to cover caretaking and utilities? This would require no major financial investment and could immediately unlock hundreds of welcoming, fully equipped spaces across every borough.

I currently run a community school within a state primary school, but the fees charged are simply unsustainable for a not-for-profit organisation. The very spaces designed to serve our communities are becoming financially inaccessible to those delivering the most impactful work.

Meanwhile, school grounds remain closed at weekends, denying safe places for young people to learn, create, and connect — exactly what is needed to keep them away from the streets and engaged in positive activities.

For years I have raised this issue in forums and meetings with local councils, yet meaningful progress remains slow. The solution is already in our hands.

Opening school facilities to community groups would represent a powerful investment in local wellbeing: strengthening families, supporting youth development, and building a deeper sense of belonging within our neighbourhoods — all at minimal cost.

Our public spaces should serve our public purpose. It is time to unlock schools for the communities who fund them and who urgently need them.

Silvia Rossi-Fermo

Clube dos Brasileirinhos Heritage and Cultural Centre CIC 

Across London, a critical barrier is preventing youth groups, community organisations, and grassroots projects from reaching the young people who need them most: the lack of affordable, accessible space.

As taxpayers, we all contribute to maintaining our local state schools, public assets built for the benefit of our communities. Yet outside school hours these facilities sit largely unused, while community organisations struggle to find safe, suitable venues to deliver much-needed activities for children and young people.

Why are schools not systematically opened in the evenings and at weekends for community use, either free of charge or at a minimal cost to cover caretaking and utilities? This would require no major financial investment and could immediately unlock hundreds of welcoming, fully equipped spaces across every borough.

I currently run a community school within a state primary school, but the fees charged are simply unsustainable for a not-for-profit organisation. The very spaces designed to serve our communities are becoming financially inaccessible to those delivering the most impactful work.

Meanwhile, school grounds remain closed at weekends, denying safe places for young people to learn, create, and connect — exactly what is needed to keep them away from the streets and engaged in positive activities.

For years I have raised this issue in forums and meetings with local councils, yet meaningful progress remains slow. The solution is already in our hands.

Opening school facilities to community groups would represent a powerful investment in local wellbeing: strengthening families, supporting youth development, and building a deeper sense of belonging within our neighbourhoods — all at minimal cost.

Our public spaces should serve our public purpose. It is time to unlock schools for the communities who fund them and who urgently need them.

Thank you for listening and I hope this helps. 

Silvia Rossi-Fermo 

Clube dos Brasileirinhos Heritage and Cultural Centre 

1. Introduction: London’s Budget Must Reflect Real Community Need

As London faces increasing pressures related to housing affordability, homelessness, unemployment, mental health, and youth vulnerability, it is more important than ever that the Mayor’s budget accurately reflects the needs of marginalised and underserved communities. Many families across West London—particularly refugees, migrants, low-income households, and young people—continue to experience serious barriers affecting their safety, wellbeing, and long-term stability.

Small community-led organisations such as Ilays, based in Hounslow and supporting wider West London communities, play a critical role in responding to these pressures. Despite their deep community roots and high impact, they are often underfunded and overlooked within London’s budgeting process. This must change if London is to become a fairer, more inclusive, and more resilient city.

Ilays is now seeking to launch a £350,000 West London Partnership Project focusing on housing support, mental health services, youth development, and employment pathways. This project is designed around real needs identified through years of direct engagement with the community. For it to succeed, the Mayor’s budget must allocate fair and accessible funding streams for small organisations, not only large institutions.

2. Housing Affordability: A Crisis Felt Deeply in West London

Housing affordability remains one of the most urgent challenges facing Londoners today, especially in boroughs like Hounslow, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, and Brent. For refugees, low-income families, single parents, young people, and new arrivals, the housing system is increasingly difficult to navigate. Many experience overcrowding, temporary accommodation, poor housing standards, unaffordable rents, and long waiting lists.

Overcrowding and Temporary Accommodation

Overcrowding is a serious issue affecting thousands of residents supported by Ilays. Families are forced to share small sp

TfL needs more money but it has the ability to earn lots of income from motorists by changing ULEZ to a weight based daily charge for all vehicles. All the infrastructure (cameras etc.) are already in place. This could be popular (or not too unpopular) if it avoids tube price increases. 

The Mayor’s budget plays a crucial role in shaping how London’s priorities are delivered. Through this budget, the Mayor is responsible for creating a financially sound plan that supports key services across the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group, including policing, transport, housing, and community development. The budget goes through several stages of review and scrutiny by the London Assembly before it is approved.

However, as a community-based organisation working directly with young people, refugees, and low-income families in Hounslow, Ilays is not satisfied with the way current funding and resources are being allocate,London is one of the world’s greatest cities, but it is also facing some of the most severe housing and socio-economic challenges in its history. Housing affordability, homelessness, overcrowding, youth vulnerability, unemployment, and lack of access to training are all areas where urgent, coordinated action is needed. These challenges are especially intense for refugees, migrants, low-income families, and young people from minority communities, including the communities supported by Ilays in Hounslow.

For these residents, the cost of housing is not simply a financial pressure—it is a daily struggle that affects health, education, stability, employment, and overall wellbeing. A secure and affordable home is not just a basic need; it is the foundation of a safe, productive, and integrated life in London. Therefore, the London budget must prioritise housing affordability and community support as core pillars of a fair and thriving city.

Small grassroots organisations like Ilays – Hounslow play a vital role in supporting vulnerable communities. Yet they are often excluded from the Mayor’s budget priorities. If London is serious about reducing inequality, strengthening communities, and improving safety, then the budget must recognise the essential contribution of these smaller organisations and allocate resources accordingly.

2. Housing Affordability

Safety is a major concern for many East African and Somali youth in the UK, including groups like Ilays. They need better protection in their neighbourhoods, more community support, and safer public spaces so they can thrive and feel secure.”Safety continues to be one of the most important concerns for families, especially those from East African and Somali backgrounds who often live in areas affected by higher levels of crime or antisocial behaviour. Young people within these communities frequently report feeling unsafe on the streets, near estates, on buses, and around transport hubs. A safer London is the foundation for everything else—education, work, and community life.

Strengthening community policing, increasing neighbourhood patrols, and investing in youth outreach programmes would make an immediate difference. Youth-led organisations like Ilays play an important role in keeping young people connected, confident, and engaged, but many struggle with limited resources. Supporting these groups through funding, facilities, and partnerships with the Mayor’s Office would help reduce crime, build trust, and protect vulnerable young people. When communities feel heard and supported, safety improves for everyone.

2. Job Creation and Employment Support

Employment is another major priority. Too many young Londoners, including Somali and East African youth, face barriers to securing good jobs—whether due to lack of experience, limited networks, or discrimination. Strengthening job creation efforts, especially in sectors where the city needs more workers, can create long-lasting change.

One area with great potential is public transport employment, particularly London’s bus network. Bus services keep the city moving, and yet many garages face staff shortages. Providing targeted employment pathways—such as paid training, apprenticeships, or guaranteed interviews for young people—could benefit both the transport system and local communities.Tackle Housing Affordability and Home

Police know the crime hotspots and need to focus on a physical presence in these areas. Until you reform the Justice System, there is no deterrent whatsoever for these committing crimes.

In many parts of London, the filth lines the pavements and streets. Clean the place up. Just looking at some of these areas can make you feel depressed.

TFL may well save millions by directly awarding smaller contracts to SMEs rather than your big companies with huge overheads and prelims. Insisting on SME companies having FORS (Silver & Gold no less) is a huge blocker in the bidding process. It is not only expense but a lot of work just to win a £30,000 or less tender. 

Your Planning teams really need major reform. 4 lanes of traffic going into 1 or 2, Bus Stops taking out whole lanes, poor traffic light management (Get AI in), manic, dangerous cyclists (This is not the Tour De France!), Road works and road works (What happened with utilities and 3rd parties working/planning to get these activities done at the same time? - Deal with these issues to manage congestion, not all of these charges.