Funding London’s priorities

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Discussion | Your priorities for London in 2026

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The Mayor’s budget sets out how he will fund his priorities. Before he takes any final decisions, we would love to know what you think.

Join the conversation 

  • What do you think are the most important priorities to make London better next year, and why? 

Help inform the budget and share your views in the comments below. We will share your feedback with the Mayor’s Office, Assembly Members and our Group Finance team. 

About the budget for London

Through the budget, the Mayor ensures there is a sound financial plan to deliver his priorities within the resources that are available to the GLA (Greater London Authority) Group.  

The budget goes through several stages, including scrutiny from the London Assembly, before it can be finalised. 

Read more about the budget, what it covers and how it’s set. 

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Comments (86)

Avatar for - Sea turtle
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London is becoming increasingly unsafe to travel at night and when it gets dark in winter. There should be bobbies on the beat all over London especially where people gather for social activities to be a deterrent against violent behaviour...

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London is becoming increasingly unsafe to travel at night and when it gets dark in winter. There should be bobbies on the beat all over London especially where people gather for social activities to be a deterrent against violent behaviour by people in general. 

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Investing into youth and community will hopefully reduce crime, assisting social related aspects and homes should also lead to this. We must all be encouraged to come together as a community and everyone should give back where they can.

Avatar for - Sea turtle
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The Mayor's urgent priority must be crime, especially the everyday overt low level crime and antisocial behaviour. While there are many other important areas of focus, and I acknowledge that the Mayor has had extreme constraints on police...

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The Mayor's urgent priority must be crime, especially the everyday overt low level crime and antisocial behaviour. While there are many other important areas of focus, and I acknowledge that the Mayor has had extreme constraints on police funding from central government over the last decade and more, it is now out of control. 

It seems almost mandatory now to smoke or vape on London Overground and Underground trains and platforms. Dozens of people barge their way through the ticket barriers without paying every few minutes. Drug taking on the streets is everywhere: all day every day on the benches in our local children's playground. Every other driver appears to be texting while driving, and every other cyclist barrels through red lights, in both cases threatening the lives of other road users and pedestrians. Thefts, vandalism and burglaries are frequent, and of course aren't investigated. Being threatened with violence is part of everyday life in London, especially if you confront anyone for any of the above. 

Sickening though it is to be forced to agree with the rabid right-wing press that love to paint London as a lawless den of crime, they are becoming increasingly hard to disagree with: not in terms of major crimes like murder or knife crime, but the low level abundant criminality that makes everyday life a misery. It is the reason why, after living here most of my life, I am researching the possibility of moving away.

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Avatar for - Tiger
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Cut out migrants housing, make council tax lower, stop ULEZ and 20mph limits ,get police to do proper police work, more stop and search , less migrants will mean cheaper council tax and women will feel safer, traffic at 20mph causes more...

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Cut out migrants housing, make council tax lower, stop ULEZ and 20mph limits ,get police to do proper police work, more stop and search , less migrants will mean cheaper council tax and women will feel safer, traffic at 20mph causes more pollution and longer journey time, police solving crimes or even attending a crime will add confidence in the police. Put them on the streets to stop and search, too many youths are running about with knives and machetes, the police don't even attend someone  threatening unless the perpetrator is still present.  Stop 2 tier policing, those on the left are exempt from prosecution whilst those on the right are policed too heavily. The mayor should stop championing muslims, the city is far more than that. The best thing for London would be for sadiq khan to resign .He has turned the place into something unrecognisable, it is more like Pakistan or other packed disgusting slum where people dont have the same standards as the British. Leave and let someone rebuild London into the great place it once was to live for everyone especially the English 

WHITE LIVES MATTER 

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I put Crime and Safety as the top priority. I don't think London has a worse situation with crime or safety than anywhere else. However, the complete lack of visible police officers on the beat (or on bicycles) was the single reason for...

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I put Crime and Safety as the top priority. I don't think London has a worse situation with crime or safety than anywhere else. However, the complete lack of visible police officers on the beat (or on bicycles) was the single reason for putting this item top. I put Clean air and pollution at the bottom of the priorities. This was mainly due to the fact that all six items are very important and one had to go last. As a supported of ULEZ and all them work done so far on clean air, I feel that this can be seen as a lower priority for the next year. I also worry that if we go too fast with EVs we may find that there are environmental issues we regret (battery recycling) and until charging is much quicker EVs won't be attractive for most people. Let's walk, cycle and use our great public transport system.

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The tourism tax on balance is a good idea.  However it should apply to everyone who lives outside of London but travels into the city for work, culture or fun.  So the tax should apply regardless of nationality or race. Itis possible to...

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The tourism tax on balance is a good idea.  However it should apply to everyone who lives outside of London but travels into the city for work, culture or fun.  So the tax should apply regardless of nationality or race. Itis possible to learn about London and the UK by visiting one of the British Council centres overseas.  For example, British Council centres are in Seoul, Prague, Calcutta (Kolkata) and other cities.

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Adequate housing for all has to be the first priority: without somewhere to call home society becomes rootless, with all the attendant ills.

Avatar for - Amur leopard
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It would be good to ensure that much-needed housing is in fact lived in, not sold as investments and left empty.

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I agree. If every empty house (second home, investment, or forgotten), empty flat above shops, vacant office, and delepidated brown field site was utilised we surely wouldn't need to build high rises and on green field sites.

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What affects me most every day is low-level traffic offences: 

  • illegal scooters and ebikes
  • cyclists going through red lights and the wrong way on one way roads and on pavements
  • delivery motorbikes and sometimes cars going the wrong way on one...
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What affects me most every day is low-level traffic offences: 

  • illegal scooters and ebikes
  • cyclists going through red lights and the wrong way on one way roads and on pavements
  • delivery motorbikes and sometimes cars going the wrong way on one way roads.

It seems particularly bad around Brick Lane in Tower Hamlets where I work.

More random enforcement and higher fines would hopefully deter what seems to be now an everyday occurrence

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It's a fair point: such traffic offences may well be the largest cause of one's daily irritation. But they do not compare in importance with such matters as housing and transport.

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As a cyclist, I agree that eBikes (legal and illegal) and eScooters (nearly all illegal) are a menace. A menace to cyclists, the reputation of cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and society. In particular, we are talking about food delivery...

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As a cyclist, I agree that eBikes (legal and illegal) and eScooters (nearly all illegal) are a menace. A menace to cyclists, the reputation of cyclists, pedestrians, motorists and society. In particular, we are talking about food delivery couriers from companies like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat. All commercial eBikers should be registered and clearly show their licence/registration on their box and/or jacket. In addition al eBike riders (inlcuding eBike tourists) should have as a minimum a provisional driving licence.

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Avatar for - Gorilla
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I do feel that the Mayor should be pressing  those with statutory responsibility such as Thames Water to be doing what they should be doing.

It would also be great to have a unit supporting people to help themselves and others. Giving...

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I do feel that the Mayor should be pressing  those with statutory responsibility such as Thames Water to be doing what they should be doing.

It would also be great to have a unit supporting people to help themselves and others. Giving details of available spaces, advice on fundraising etc.

Finally it would be great if cultural events were suitable for all ages (older people tend to be neglected), and recognised that a substantial number of us  have family history going back 100s of years in London, and are heterosexual. In our efforts to be welcoming to minority communities it feels like the majority are being marginalised!

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Avatar for - Adelie penguin
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Of all the priorities I see public transport as the main one as it underpins all of the others.  You can build housing but without a transport network that is reliable and affordable people can't get to work or leisure without it - unless...

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Of all the priorities I see public transport as the main one as it underpins all of the others.  You can build housing but without a transport network that is reliable and affordable people can't get to work or leisure without it - unless you are going to promote self transport (cars etc).  You cannot support the night time economy, the tourist industry, hospitality and businesses    without reliable transport.   All of these will lead to growth to pay for more police and other services.

Another big issue, however facing Londoners is the lack of local services with so many of the 32 boroughs facing funding shortages - why do we need 32 boroughs to run London.  If we combined inner and outer boroughs we would save money and spread the inners wealth to the outers who have little income from tourism and big business (from the rate)

 

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It's a fair comment but in overall importance I would put housing first, transport second.

Avatar for - Vaquita
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where would you put crime

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Our Fire service is encountering high level of fires from E scooter and converted E bike batteries-simple ban them from being sold.

More housing-- the mayor wants to use some of our parks and green belt, Why when we have plenty of brown...

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Our Fire service is encountering high level of fires from E scooter and converted E bike batteries-simple ban them from being sold.

More housing-- the mayor wants to use some of our parks and green belt, Why when we have plenty of brown field sites not developed like the one in Cheam ,Sutton languishing for 20 years, with planning permission backed by residents-Just get on and build the 70 homes. And many more like this one.

Here in Sutton we have the worst public transport in London. The Mayor has banned the tram extension. We have no underground and limited top train and buses are not the best service, in fact the Mayor cut the number of 213s.

In fact in Sutton we all pay the Mayors proportion of Council tax however we get the lowest financial input from the Mayor and even if he doubled what we get ,it would still be the lowest.

The our Police in Sutton have been cut and cut, in fact for months we only had 1pc and 1 PCSO in certain wards. Although Now we have 2 PCs they are hardly ever serving their ward in fact one PC is lucky to do 2 shifts a month in their ward while they are abstracted to other boroughs or central London or backfilling for others who have been abstracted and their Sergeant is abstracted to London on occasions . Not good for Police moral or the public. It is a real shambles although not the Police`s fault, just the way its organised and financed. Meanwhile Stabbings and shootings , car crime are in the news every week.

Then why are rented E bikes , Cycles , private e bikes and illegal private E Scooters allowed to ride on the pavement endangering pedestrians.

Why are unlicensed  electric Motor bikes allowed on our roads without number plates , tax  ,or insurance or driving license. They simply cause danger -Why because they can and no one stops them.

Why has the Mayor allowed this to happen , that is without mentioning the Rape an grooming gangs or making sure they cannot exist in London.

At times you cannot believe this is the London you used to know.

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While all ideas are good, I think getting a good bang for the mayor's buck has to be a priority.  I think that means focusing on crime, housing and the environment.  In each case, though, the extended consultation and planning processes...

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While all ideas are good, I think getting a good bang for the mayor's buck has to be a priority.  I think that means focusing on crime, housing and the environment.  In each case, though, the extended consultation and planning processes which need to be followed cost money, prevent timely intervention and pander to a NIMBY culture.  Surely we can promote a planning discussion where proposals are presented, people get a reasonable period (e.g. 6 weeks to review) and then a decision is made?

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Avatar for - Tiger
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Khan just spent £85000 on a jolly with 11 others business class. I'm not happy funding that 

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Khan just spent £85000 on a jolly with 11 others business class. I'm not happy funding that 

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Avatar for - Tiger
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Safe, stable, affordable and accessible to all Housing in London.  Keep on top of under the radar renting with the constant danger of evictions or unsafe living conditions that some have to live with.  

Continue to work top make the roads...

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Safe, stable, affordable and accessible to all Housing in London.  Keep on top of under the radar renting with the constant danger of evictions or unsafe living conditions that some have to live with.  

Continue to work top make the roads and walkways safer for cyclists and pedestrians.  

Keep working to tackle liter and fly tipping so that our streets look and feel better and stop illegal and unsafe litter from entering the water courses and harming the environment and wildlife.  

Keep working on better environmental and building controls to make London not get so hot in the summer.  Help to encourage the use of better building designs and materials to give London more shade, less glass and concrete and more access to green space, both visually and physically.  

Further improve access for sporting and leisure activities for young and old.  

Bring back more supported activities and day care for the elderly in need of company and stimulation.   Also more assisted transport for the elderly and disabled to be able to get about.

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Avatar for - Saola
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I'm a wheelchair user, and I live in Teddington but LOVE coming into Central London to meet friends for a meal, go to the theatre or the wonderful museums and art galleries that we have at our disposal.  I'm delighted that all the museums...

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I'm a wheelchair user, and I live in Teddington but LOVE coming into Central London to meet friends for a meal, go to the theatre or the wonderful museums and art galleries that we have at our disposal.  I'm delighted that all the museums, galleries and exhibition spaces are free (except for a special show).  I adore the fact that we can travel to most places as all the trains now have ramps and all of them have guards to man the ramps.  The buses are all capable of carrying a wheelchair as they have automatic ramps.  That's why I'm so grateful for all the infrastructure in London

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I would like to see free entry restricted to those who pay council tax in London.  That would save money and increase funding for the arts.  Much as I love theatre, art and museums, at a time when budgets are tight you have to question the...

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I would like to see free entry restricted to those who pay council tax in London.  That would save money and increase funding for the arts.  Much as I love theatre, art and museums, at a time when budgets are tight you have to question the level of subsidy being given.

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Yes: among our complaints we should be conscious that in London we have a transport network that is unequalled among British cities.

Avatar for - Saola
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Yes, we can be grateful that the transport network in London IS unequalled in Britain (that's why I'm so thrilled that I live in the London suburbs 

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Yes, we can be grateful that the transport network in London IS unequalled in Britain (that's why I'm so thrilled that I live in the London suburbs 

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In these days of division, suspicion and aggression, I would like to see initiatives that bring people together and foster harmony and tolerance

Avatar for - Saola
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I agree completely, Louise, we DO need initiatives that bring people together and foster harmony and tolerance 

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I agree completely, Louise, we DO need initiatives that bring people together and foster harmony and tolerance 

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I agree but it would be good to offer some proactive ideas as to how this can be achieved.  A lot of good work has been done in some of the local parks in Bromley but they need more support from local businesses, retail especially.  Also...

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I agree but it would be good to offer some proactive ideas as to how this can be achieved.  A lot of good work has been done in some of the local parks in Bromley but they need more support from local businesses, retail especially.  Also they do need to be organised more professionally.

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The survey highlights how many competing priorities the Mayor must manage. Power to your elbow - prioritise the young!

Avatar for - Leatherback sea turtle
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Why are there only like or love options. Very unbalanced to not provide for a negative option. 

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Why are there only like or love options. Very unbalanced to not provide for a negative option. 

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Avatar for - Monarch butterfly
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more attention needed to prevention and removal of graffiti.  It drags down an area and decreases commnity respect.  Insidious, but real.

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more attention needed to prevention and removal of graffiti.  It drags down an area and decreases commnity respect.  Insidious, but real.

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Avatar for - Orangutan
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Tagging yes, but there is lots of art out there as well. More designated areas might help as the arty side can really help as a bit of colour or life in cold dead spaces

Avatar for - Sumatran elephant
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The priorities listed are well thought-out and relevant and my survey response reflects that.  In addition I would like the mayor to continue his strong campaign against rogue sweet and candy stores across London and especially Oxford...

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The priorities listed are well thought-out and relevant and my survey response reflects that.  In addition I would like the mayor to continue his strong campaign against rogue sweet and candy stores across London and especially Oxford Street. They bring our great city down.   

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