Have your say on the proposed London Budget for 2021-2022
As much of the available funding as possible is allocated to supporting London's recovery from COVID-19. Have your say.
2020 was a tough year. The situation is still extremely serious, and our health service is under severe strain.
COVID-19 has had a profound impact on the lives of Londoners. Thousands of people in our city have died and many more have suffered from the effects of the virus. All Londoners have seen their way of life severely disrupted – often with dire consequences for their economic wellbeing and their physical and mental health.
We have difficult weeks ahead for our city. But with a vaccine now in place and beginning to roll out, we continue to plan for London’s recovery.
Since March 2020, Londoners have been telling us about their immediate and longer-term priorities for the capital and for recovery from the pandemic here on Talk London. These discussions, alongside representative polling and focus groups conducted in August, found that:
- Reducing the spread of coronavirus is Londoners main and immediate priority, followed by protecting and creating jobs.
- The largest proportion of Londoners see the economic impact of coronavirus as the main threat to the capital over the next year, whilst the second highest proportion say it is the health impact.
- Many of the issues that the city faced prior to coronavirus remain, and should be dealt with despite COVID-19, not because of it. Social issues, such as food poverty, are high on the agenda. Londoners note that coronavirus has exacerbated inequalities, increasing the importance of robust financial safety nets and digital access for all.
- A majority of Londoners think now is a good time to make improvements to the city. These changes are mostly related to equality or the environment and green transport.
The discussion ran from 06 January 2021 - 09 March 2021
Closed
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Log into your accountPaul Bowers
Community Member 4 years agoFootball matches cost each tax payer millions every year in policing costs yet the clubs dont contribute much if anything. Any football clubs should reduce players ridiculous pay packets if necessary to contribute to policing football...
Show full commentFootball matches cost each tax payer millions every year in policing costs yet the clubs dont contribute much if anything. Any football clubs should reduce players ridiculous pay packets if necessary to contribute to policing football matches so that they cover a minimum of 90% of the cost of policing the areas around them on match days or be forced to pay for more private security to reduce the impact on tax payers and ultimately budgets.
Yes it may be the few who cause the issue but why should the tax payer bear the brunt of the costs for a match when the clubs can make billions a year depending on who / where they are.
talk_london_us…
Community Member 4 years agoPriority should be given to services, primarily health, which will aid the recovery from Covid-19 and its impacts. That will require some support for business and education to help us get back on our feet. Standardisation of services such...
Show full commentPriority should be given to services, primarily health, which will aid the recovery from Covid-19 and its impacts. That will require some support for business and education to help us get back on our feet. Standardisation of services such as refuse collection and recycling capability should be considered, across the boroughs, where there are opportunities for economies of scale. However, in general, I would suggest that by and large the budget allocation should maintain a status quo of current services. The reason for this, is that now is the time to consider a root and branch re-imagination of London. The pandemic has put changes that were happening anyway on fast forward. The high street is dead. A huge percentage of workers who are home-working will never return to London on a full time basis. With less workers and shoppers (and tourists in the short term) we need to consider radical changes to ensure London remains a world city. I'll throw out a few ideas. Specialty villages - encourage markets and artisan stores specialising in specific products (food, clothes, tech, toys, homeware); Music hubs - develop a range of music venues of various sizes ensuring easy access to live music from all areas of London and beyond; put in the infrastructure to allow large parts of Central London to be effectively car free and promote London as such around the world; focus on the infrastructure required to boost the nigh time economy and make London the safest 24 hour city in the world; apply for every global and European event going. Once thos plans are in place, we will need to adjust the budget allocation.
Show less of commentVeronicacham
Community Member 4 years agoThe Mayor needs to target more money to achieving modal shift in transport, away from private cars and towards active travel. He needs to take people with him and explain and demonstrate the benefits by making it easy and pleasant to walk...
Show full commentThe Mayor needs to target more money to achieving modal shift in transport, away from private cars and towards active travel. He needs to take people with him and explain and demonstrate the benefits by making it easy and pleasant to walk and cycle, across London (not just in the central areas - North West London is a desert for infrastructure). Do not allow planning permission for business premises with parking spaces, other than for Blue Badge holders, and ensure that businesses and new blocks of flats all provide secure cycle parking space for as many people as are likely to need them, in convenient places, under cover. Ensure that GP surgeries have cycle racks outside them to promote the health of their patients. Repurpose car parking spaces to become bike hangars which will also take adapted and non-standard cycles, and cargo bikes. Make on-street cycle parking charges reflect the amount of space taken up, compared with car parking charges. Have cargo bike hire stations on street corners. Promote and enable car clubs in all areas of London so that people feel less need to own a car and just rent one when they need it. Set targets for reducing the acreage of car parking on public space and increasing green space, including pocket parks and places for people to sit and rest. Sponsor cycle hubs in every borough to enable people to learn to cycle, seek advice, go on rides, learn to maintain their cycle and repair and recycle bikes. Support cycling for people with disabilities by funding charities which offer adapted cycles and tuition. Ensure that every borough develops a comprehensive and joined-up plan to enable all sorts of cycling as transport, for all parts of the community, including the soft measures outlined above and safe cycle lanes on main roads, low-traffic neighbourhoods and cycle/walking priority areas. Better public health through active travel will help defeat Covid-19 and revive our economy.
Show less of commentPaul Bowers
Community Member 4 years agoVeronica whilst i can support your ideas the reduction parking spaces instantly disadvantages the disabled.
I am a blue badge holder but cannot have a bay (this was rejected by surrounding residents as there are insufficient spaces as it...
Show full commentVeronica whilst i can support your ideas the reduction parking spaces instantly disadvantages the disabled.
I am a blue badge holder but cannot have a bay (this was rejected by surrounding residents as there are insufficient spaces as it is, which was exactly why i need a bay. The majority may cycle or use public transport to get to work but still have a family car that they need to park. your proposal would result in more vehicles squeezed into non existent spaces and disadvantage anyone who's neighbors wouldn't agree to a disabled bay, and were that bay to exist if you are near any transport links or shopping areas you'd likely find them filled by disabled commuters / shoppers so would only go to further disadvantage people
Show less of commentparkerp
Community Member 4 years ago"TfL invested £55 million in the first half of 2020-21 on Active Travel initiatives, including Streetspace which saw the delivery of more than 66km of new cycle lanes, 180 pedestrian spaces, 88 Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 322 school...
Show full comment"TfL invested £55 million in the first half of 2020-21 on Active Travel initiatives, including Streetspace which saw the delivery of more than 66km of new cycle lanes, 180 pedestrian spaces, 88 Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and 322 school streets - with a similar amount planned for the second half of 2020-21."
I'm absolutely disgusted to read this - what a complete waste of money, the new cycle lanes and LTN's have caused real issues in local communities, including increased congestion and pollution. They have been to the detriment of the majority of residents and were introduced without proper consultation and without much thought. I hope that no new budget will be allocated towards these. The mayor needs to stop being anti-car and look at ways to improve transport for all Londoners, including car users.
Show less of commentJuanC
Community Member 4 years agoI disagree, London still has too many cars, the pollution they generate in West London still hangs in the air on warm days.
The more anti-car we can make this city the better, if it's by being pro-cycle even better
Show full commentI disagree, London still has too many cars, the pollution they generate in West London still hangs in the air on warm days.
The more anti-car we can make this city the better, if it's by being pro-cycle even better
Show less of commentDhplum
Community Member 4 years agoI agree with JuanC. Whilst traffic is reduced TfL must take every opportunity to create traffic free cycle lanes, better pedestrian access and low traffic neighbourhoods. London's recovery needs to be green.
Most drivers add virtually...
Show full commentI agree with JuanC. Whilst traffic is reduced TfL must take every opportunity to create traffic free cycle lanes, better pedestrian access and low traffic neighbourhoods. London's recovery needs to be green.
Most drivers add virtually nothing to the economy but cost us all a fortune
Show less of commentNikitalimbu
Community Member 4 years agoSort out the housing so that hardworking people can actually afford to live here. Why are so many new high end developments being given permission to tear down existing spaces and build unaffordable apartments. Why are council houses only...
Show full commentSort out the housing so that hardworking people can actually afford to live here. Why are so many new high end developments being given permission to tear down existing spaces and build unaffordable apartments. Why are council houses only given to people who have inside connections with people who work in the council while honest london workers wait years for one. I know of many people who have second houses and got council houses in just a few months because they knew someone working in the department. Shameless.
Show less of commentZoltanSz
Community Member 4 years agoSpent millions on Covid cycle lanes all around London, then scraped them after relising how impossible think is to try to force Londoners on there bikes, creating a stationery traffic, polluting the air after lifting the first lockdown.
Im...
Show full commentSpent millions on Covid cycle lanes all around London, then scraped them after relising how impossible think is to try to force Londoners on there bikes, creating a stationery traffic, polluting the air after lifting the first lockdown.
Immediately scrap and refund the raised £15 CC charge for key workers needed to go in to the CC zone for work and stop making differences between black cab and private hire drivers benefit,also scrap all blocked roads since March 2020 just to raise few thousands for local councils.
Raised CC to £15 for every single day since March last year is only a drop in the Ocean for the London Mayor yearly budget but a huge amount to pay for working people who must drive in to the zone and being penalised buy charging them £15 every day to do there work just because considered as key worker.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 4 years agoThe Mayor should drop all the Political Gimmicks and Posturing. The core services should be Health Provision, Police, Schools, Transport. Transport includes Car users (bikes are suitable for shorter journeys if you don't have to carry...
Show full commentThe Mayor should drop all the Political Gimmicks and Posturing. The core services should be Health Provision, Police, Schools, Transport. Transport includes Car users (bikes are suitable for shorter journeys if you don't have to carry anything, or you could just walk). I would want a Mayor that spend taxpayers money only where it is needed and for the benefit of Londoners as whole not just select pressure groups. Electric charging provision is used for making money. We want to reduce pollution so the Electric provided should be cost plus amortized cost of installing the charging infrastructure, How can 34p a kw for slow Lamp post charging be justified. Home electric is 13p kw (at night as low as 5p) Cost of installing a socket to a Lamp post a few hundred pounds. A Rip off (I expect Electric for Councils to be cheaper than Home).
Show less of commentwoolwich10
Community Member 4 years agoI would suggest it might be wise to explain about the vaccine. Some think that once you have received it, you are OK to be
out and about again. Is it known if this vaccine will provide protection for all mutations. How many people need...
Show full commentI would suggest it might be wise to explain about the vaccine. Some think that once you have received it, you are OK to be
out and about again. Is it known if this vaccine will provide protection for all mutations. How many people need to be vaccinated
before it becomes safe to be mixing in the wider population. After you have been vaccinated, how long to wait before it becomes effective.
Show less of commentVoxmundi
Community Member 4 years agoMoney should be allocated to creating more green spaces ( green as in attracting wildlife as well as people).: new developments should have mandatory green space, gardens, edibles....etc will need joined up thinking to enhance green...
Show full commentMoney should be allocated to creating more green spaces ( green as in attracting wildlife as well as people).: new developments should have mandatory green space, gardens, edibles....etc will need joined up thinking to enhance green corridors for people and nature. So important for physical and mental health not to mention the wildlife ...
Show less of commentrfcallway
Community Member 4 years agoAgreed!
Show full commentAgreed!
Show less of commentBrian Of Erith
Community Member 4 years agoThe Mayor needs to cut the number of advisors he employs all om Fat Cay salaries. He based on his performance has Mayor should take a 99% pay cut.
The current mayor has acted outside the law with his covic street closures and should pay...
Show full commentThe Mayor needs to cut the number of advisors he employs all om Fat Cay salaries. He based on his performance has Mayor should take a 99% pay cut.
The current mayor has acted outside the law with his covic street closures and should pay the legal costs and fines out his personal pocket.
Mr Khan should be barred for 25 years from holding publoc office
Microbe
Community Member 4 years agoAny budget should have as its focus a sharp, defined, targeted and specific 'Regeneration Of And For The People Of London'. Coming out the the pandemic, which will be achieved, albeit with so much sadness where lives across the board have...
Show full commentAny budget should have as its focus a sharp, defined, targeted and specific 'Regeneration Of And For The People Of London'. Coming out the the pandemic, which will be achieved, albeit with so much sadness where lives across the board have been ravaged including the trading of small businesses lost of their interpersonal format to supply a service or a unique and particular commodity to the people of London should all be considered rather than that some impersonal regeneration is with funding farmed out to powerful lobbyist outsider entrepreneurs sucking up the funds for the benefit of faceless office-block building plutocrats and their 'indifferent to the cares of others shareholders' living abroad.
Show less of commentindigo66
Community Member 4 years agoSurely the mayor should be allocating more money to infrastructure and construction projects in order to boost a rapid return to industry. Why can't we get these private companies to test on site to reduce the spread to workers? Looking at...
Show full commentSurely the mayor should be allocating more money to infrastructure and construction projects in order to boost a rapid return to industry. Why can't we get these private companies to test on site to reduce the spread to workers? Looking at the total cost of these 'free' testing services it would cost the public purse far less to use private companies. If the Govt can get away with paying 1000 consultants a £1000-£7000 a day and for what, we the public must be stupid or completely blind. Can you not see that all this money is going to their friends and family???? That Dido Harding. Test these workers on site and on nights and you will not need to close down these projects which is currently being threatened due to crowded pictures of ghe tube. Put more money into supporting zlondon business, mandatory testing for those who wish to use restaurants, pubs and theatres and they WILL cooperate as they want to use the service. They can have cards that can be checked using a mobile. If tested negative within 3 days then the likelihood of spreading the disease to others who have tested similar will be nigh on zero. Keep ULEZ but scrap the Congestion Charge. Make a choice, more cycle lanes or a London recovery. Mr mayor, in years to come what will your legacy be. A man with a dream to make London into a garden city or the man who made London a Ghost town. Its in your hands. Have a look at the Australian Smart Cities model for some inspiration.
Talk London
Official Representative 4 years agoHi everyone and thank you for sharing your views and ideas in this discussion.
The Budget Consultation closes this Friday. If you have any other thoughts or would like to add something else, please let us know.
Talk London
nizam.hussain
Community Member 4 years agoSantander scheme needs to be developed further south of the River. It is a convenient, effective and healthy means of getting around, which I used to use a lot when I lived further in London.
South of the river, there are barely any...
Show full commentSantander scheme needs to be developed further south of the River. It is a convenient, effective and healthy means of getting around, which I used to use a lot when I lived further in London.
South of the river, there are barely any docking stations and the bus swrvice is not so frequent. Santander cycles, especially near stations would make q huge difference.
Londoners need access to open spaces and health facilities such as affordable gyms, running tracks and maybe tennis courts in park. Especially for children.
Many Londoners live in small flats and need simple open safe spaces for fresh air and exercise. More community health care centres with pitches and courts would be good. Most gyms are £50/60 per month. We need affordable basic access to fitness equipment e.g. facilities such as gym group who keep costs low by not maintaining expensive spas and swimming pools. most people Just need some basic fitness equipment and weights.
Show less of commentDavidTarsh
Community Member 4 years agoMuch, much better to spend money on these ideas, which will probably attract more to cycling and be much more cost effective than building bike lanes, which are not needed and congest the traffic
Show full commentMuch, much better to spend money on these ideas, which will probably attract more to cycling and be much more cost effective than building bike lanes, which are not needed and congest the traffic
Show less of commentDhplum
Community Member 4 years agoI second this proposal
Show full commentI second this proposal
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 4 years agoLondoners into good work -
Some of this new budget should be used to fund a scheme for organizations across the UK so that they are able to facilitate young people for real time paid work experience.
Businesses across the UK are...
Show full commentLondoners into good work -
Some of this new budget should be used to fund a scheme for organizations across the UK so that they are able to facilitate young people for real time paid work experience.
Businesses across the UK are struggling to survive during this pandemic, so it goes without being said that there are not too many incentives to taking on any 'under qualified' employees at this moment.
This scheme could cover the wages of these young people taking up placements to support our local and corporate businesses, whilst they gain real time crucial working experience.
Show less of commentAnonymous - account deleted
Community Member 4 years agoHighstreets for all -
Under-used, unused and new high street spaces should be developed or refurbished with some of the budget and then donated to different grass root organization who have aims of tackling different social issues such as...
Show full commentHighstreets for all -
Under-used, unused and new high street spaces should be developed or refurbished with some of the budget and then donated to different grass root organization who have aims of tackling different social issues such as knife crime in young people.
These buildings can be centred around providing subsidized alternative out of school activities for young people to engage with, such as Table Tennis, Free Cooking Lessons for young people (especially under our circumstances), and a social distance compliant business space for young people to continue pursuing personal entrepreneurial ventures.
Having these activities present locally and having young people engage with them will provide more young people with a sense of welcoming and belonging to their communities.. which will likely reduce the condoning of antisocial behavior.
A new deal for young people -
Young people should be able to access mentors that thrive working in the relevant sector of the economy that they are interested in getting involved with.
Whether it is to ask mentors questions about a position to confirm whether that role is something the young person is truly interested in.
OR
Whether it is to shadow work these mentors so that they can hopefully attain a similar well orchestrated mind and skill set - so that the young person can too, later on thrive doing similar work.
Show less of commentJenny19
Community Member 4 years agoThanks for the opportunity to comment.
Just two comments to add to the many good points already made. I'm pleased to see the many cycle lanes being added- except the one along the Euston Road. Why oh why put cyclists onto one of the most...
Show full commentThanks for the opportunity to comment.
Just two comments to add to the many good points already made. I'm pleased to see the many cycle lanes being added- except the one along the Euston Road. Why oh why put cyclists onto one of the most busy, polluted, main routes across London? Hopefully it will become less busy and polluted with cleaner and fewer vehicles but it will never be clean and clear. Businesses will always need vehicles for delivery. Buses and cabs will always run.
A cleaner, quieter east-west cycle route could be made along parallel roads - eg Gower Place, Endsleigh Gardens, Woburn Walk, Flaxman Terrace etc. I know Gower Place is one way in the wrong direction for vehicles at the moment but a dedicated cycle lane could be made. The present cycle lane on Euston Rd hardly gets used but causes massive congestion and I have seen ambulances stuck in the traffic trying to get to the hospital.
Second point - with market prices of 'high end' properties still in the stratosphere, surely another council tax band could be added - anyone who can afford a £ multi-million flat can afford a bit more. That will not solve the budgetary problems but could raise some income without much pain.
Jenny
Paul Bowers
Community Member 4 years agoI disagree with your principal on cycle lanes. we dont need more except the one you refer to. We need to see all cycle lanes removed from major arterial roads and moved to the back streets, not just the one you want moved.
Every cycle...
Show full commentI disagree with your principal on cycle lanes. we dont need more except the one you refer to. We need to see all cycle lanes removed from major arterial roads and moved to the back streets, not just the one you want moved.
Every cycle lane on an arterial route increases pollution, so surely its sensible to move them onto back roads. Then they are away from the risks of arterial roads and the pollution reduces
Show less of commentcharlesw
Community Member 4 years agoPS. The abbreviation CMT is used without an explanation of what it stands for. A quick web search shows that it means "Corporate Management Team". Of course without any more detail this doesn't really help us to judge whether the 4.2...
Show full commentPS. The abbreviation CMT is used without an explanation of what it stands for. A quick web search shows that it means "Corporate Management Team". Of course without any more detail this doesn't really help us to judge whether the 4.2 million pounds expenditure by them is what we really need to spend our money on!
Show less of commentazrael85
Community Member 4 years agoI suspect it is actually Crisis Management Team, invoked to manage the whole pandemic situation. It works out at around a pound each though, its certainly better value than 50m on a mere 66km of cycle lane
Show full commentI suspect it is actually Crisis Management Team, invoked to manage the whole pandemic situation. It works out at around a pound each though, its certainly better value than 50m on a mere 66km of cycle lane
Show less of commentcharlesw
Community Member 4 years ago1. "accelerating growth in the green economy" -- the only way we are going to meet our climate targets is by reversing growth. A better target would be to reduce growth in the non-green economy. I would suggest a per-mile tax on cars...
Show full comment1. "accelerating growth in the green economy" -- the only way we are going to meet our climate targets is by reversing growth. A better target would be to reduce growth in the non-green economy. I would suggest a per-mile tax on cars, though it is hard to collect. A tax on petrol would have to taper off with distance from central London up to about 60 miles to discourage people from driving away to fill up. I am sure it could be set at a level where the extra petrol driving to a more distant filling station would cost more than the saving made in tax.
2. I would suggest a couple of actions to address the lack of affordable housing:
(a) a propaganda campaign to discourage well-off people from moving to London
(b) publicity explaining that a house price crash is on the way, to discourage people from investing in buy-to-let, and encouraging them instead to invest in pension schemes and green energy infrastructure.
These policies are entirely possible. What is not possible is to get re-elected after implementing them (or to get the necessary enabling legislation through Parliament which I expect would be needed for the fuel tax).
indigo66
Community Member 4 years agoCan you not see that your ideas only affects the poor, those struggling to pay their bills, feed their families???? Soon only the rich will be able to enter and use London. Businesses are relocating as London is too expensive to work and...
Show full commentCan you not see that your ideas only affects the poor, those struggling to pay their bills, feed their families???? Soon only the rich will be able to enter and use London. Businesses are relocating as London is too expensive to work and live in. Such narrow minded thinking will destroy the economy
Show less of commentcharlesw
Community Member 4 years agoIn reply to indigo66: yes indeed. Maybe a wealth tax and/or a land tax would help, though I can think of a lot of difficulties, like landlords would just pass it on to their tenants by putting the rent up.
Show full commentIn reply to indigo66: yes indeed. Maybe a wealth tax and/or a land tax would help, though I can think of a lot of difficulties, like landlords would just pass it on to their tenants by putting the rent up.
Show less of commentpaulataylor
Community Member 4 years agoThe Mayor should lobby the Government for the following actions which should help raise public funds which will benefit the UK as a whole and filter down to aid London.
Bicycles : Compulsory road tax and insurance. The road tax and the 12...
Show full commentThe Mayor should lobby the Government for the following actions which should help raise public funds which will benefit the UK as a whole and filter down to aid London.
Bicycles : Compulsory road tax and insurance. The road tax and the 12% Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) would boost the public purse.
Electric Scooters: The Road Traffic Act 1988 forbids the use of personal e-scooters on a public highway and riders can face fines of £300. This law needs to be enforced.
Child Benefit: A temporary 3-year suspension of benefit for any child born after 1 January 2022. This date gives people with foresight the ability to plan ahead now. If this results in a reduction of births it would also assist with the long term housing crisis and save on education costs in the long term.
Green Policies: A temporary 3-year suspension of spending any more money on environmental/green initiatives in order to concentrate finances on getting the economy back on track more rapidly.
I also think the metro mayors and offices should be scrapped and power returned to the councils. It is an expense that does not add value.
Show less of commentindigo66
Community Member 4 years agoVery good
Show full commentVery good
Show less of commentDhplum
Community Member 4 years agoWhat utter nonsense.
Cycle insurance and tax would cost more to administer than it would generate.
Maybe compulsory road charging by ANPR. Say £1 per mile for all cars and soon the funds would be flowing in.
More time enforcing the 10%...
Show full commentWhat utter nonsense.
Cycle insurance and tax would cost more to administer than it would generate.
Maybe compulsory road charging by ANPR. Say £1 per mile for all cars and soon the funds would be flowing in.
More time enforcing the 10% of uninsured cars before we start to look at escooters which cause little danger to other road users
Show less of comment