Funding London’s priorities

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.

Improving bus use and reliability in London

I recently saw part of a really interesting London assembly debate on improving bus reliability in London. TfL seems to have virtually no way of engaging with Londoners about how they use the bus network so I wanted to share my views on this platform.
 

The best way of doing this is to use an example of a trip I used to do on the bus regularly but have now completely stopped due to the slowness and increasing difficulty of doing so. TfL have, through successive changes, made it so hard to use the bus on this major route to the extent I have given up. Most of the themes below are very common throughout my experience across London. My usage of buses in London is a fraction of what it used to be. When TfL amend junctions there is an attitude every time of ‘this will only impact journey times by a minute or two’ without considering the cumulative effect every time this is done.

I used to use the 271 from Archway to Moorgate via Holloway Road.

• About 10 years ago TfL removed the old gyratory at Archway. The new square there has its benefits but from a bus perspective it’s horrible to use. The bus stops are now spread out all over the place so it’s hard to find the right stop or make any real use of the overlapping routes for the same stretch of road. There are so many traffic lights now getting around the gyratory is slow and frustrating. TfL never asked for public feedback after completing the works which could have ironed these issues out.
• The countdown screens at the bus stops either dont work or provide completely the wrong information, if they are still there.
• Often hoards of children get on the bus for two stops up a hill as it’s free for them. It’s a very walkable distance This quickly fills up the bus meaning passengers at the next stop (Whittington Hospital) cannot get on.
• There used to be ‘spider maps’ at bus stops meaning planning a journey was actually quite easy. If I could hop on the first bus and get off nearish/walk the

Just saw that TfL prices are soon to go up again (even though it is frozen for the rest of the country) and I respect that Sadiq has tried to get them frozen or reduced and there has been a push towards the bus network but there has to be another way. It literally benefits everyone when prices go down, for every day Londoners, commuters, tourists also you wouldn't have to hire so many fare evaders staff at the gates.

I'd like the balance of priority on our roadspace moved away from private motor vehicles, and towards pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.  I'd like to see:

• Wider pavements
• More cycle lanes
• More expensive parking for SUVs
• Convert car parking spaces to bike parking spaces, or wider pavements - every year there should be 3% fewer street parking spaces
• Pedestrianise the whole of Soho - with allowances for the obvious (emergency vehicles, delivery vehicles etc)
• More 20mph speed limits - and for them to be enforced
• Every year the congestion charge should increase by RPI + 3% to discourage motor vehicles

I'd also like to see more and better playgrounds for London's children to be active.

I don't know how many times we have to go through this - rent controls do not work to reduce rents and neither do youth clubs prevent crime. 

If you build more housing, regardless of how 'affordable' you seem it, the price of housing will come down. And if you build bigger homes as well, people will move out of their starter homes freeing them up for first time buyers. Not everything needs to be an 'affordable' home and frankly by putting these targets on developers, you're actually ensuring that fewer homes get built because smaller developers just give up.

Boosting the economy, together with cost of living support and affordable housing for all looking to purchase/rent is my priority. A lot of crime, nowadays, is to do with a lack for financial aid, and being unable to afford the basics. In turn, this could make transport more affordable for folks. 

There are several fare dodgers I see everyday at Gants hill station. It’s a shame that every year the fares go up and people like me who pay the fare has to bear the cost of these fare dodgers. 

You can drastically improve quality of housing and public transport while tackling climate change and reducing peoples bill. You can provide communities with cleaner, greener public spaces. I read somewhere that to fight urban heat domes during heatwaves neighbourhoods should have at least 30% canopy cover.

Just tax the billionaires. What's wrong with a hefty one-off tax or a small monthly tax to help us tackle these issues? It's their country too.

Everything needs to be tackled in tandem. Crime is definitely an issue especially petty theft and phone snatching. I even had a pram stolen. You need to tell the police to invest more time and take crimes like that seriously. I was told that my pram being stolen wasn't a priority four days after my husband had his phone snatched outside his office building in the city. Crime is all over London.

It makes us feel ignored by the police. He has told the police where his phone is (through tracking) - at a phone shop. and nothing has been done about it.

The mayor is doing some good things, like free school meals. 

Now let's make London cleaner and safer. As a start, let's make public transport more affordable. My proposal: remove tube zones because charging higher prices to people that live further out is really unfair. I live in Zone 4 and every day I go to my office in Zone 1 I spend nearly £10 and that's just taking the tube. Also, create a hop on system between tube and bus.