Funding London’s priorities

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.

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

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!

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)

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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

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.   

The biggest need is for a massive amount of decent social housing where people can easily access jobs and vital services. Stable secure homes at genuinely affordable rents will improve health, mean children can learn better and people will have money to spend which boosts the economy.

The Mayor needs to think about measures to help the poorest people in London.  Many people cannot afford to go into central London because of high fares, the congestion and pollution charges, parking charges, and the cost of eating out or attending theatres etc.  Helping the poor is not only morally right, but helps to cut crime and homelessness as well.  Rent control is desperately needed.  Many Londoners are spending a very high percentage of their income on rent, more than the cost of a mortgage, which makes no sense.  Parking in London for disabled people with blue badges is a shambles, and varies from borough to borough.  The economy will not thrive if people can't afford to live near ot travel to their work or the shops.

It’s protecting London’s green environment which is paramount, because housing, however necessary, without green space and play space for children will simply lead to more anti-social behaviour and ill health from overcrowded city living.   Already families with children are deserting London and schools are closing in most boroughs.  So housing and the environment go hand in hand.   Ban the use of glyphosate, copy Paris in making the London cleaner and greener and attract young families.  They are our future.  And make it possible to walk to school, the local shops and libraries. 

The Mayor’s budget must reflect the reality: addressing the unprecedented housing crisis we face in the UK by protecting and investing in social homes is a moral and legal duty, and the most financially prudent long-term strategy.

Housing Priority – Tackle Crisis, Not Amenities

London faces an unprecedented housing crisis, with 172,000 children in Temporary Accommodation (TA). Funding must focus on Social Housing Repairs, Decent Homes investment, and Stock Protection.

1. Stop Housing Speculation and Misuse London’s crisis is about misallocation, not just supply. There are 93,602 empty homes (38,386 long-term vacant) while families need housing. The Mayor should lobby for laws prohibiting non-resident, non-British nationals from buying London homes. Housing must be a right, not an asset for speculation. Enforce Airbnb rules to return homes to long-term use.

2. Create Earmarked Funding (Tourist Tax) A Tourist Tax on overnight stays could raise up to £240 million annually. This revenue should be reserved for permanent social housing, prioritizing moving people out of TA and addressing the £740m shortfall London Councils face due to TA costs.

3. Fulfil Statutory Obligations & Redirect Waste Repairs for social housing are a statutory liability under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Funds should not go to non-crisis amenities (cycling lanes, street furniture) while homes remain substandard. End energy efficiency grants for private landlords, homeowners and businesses while social tenants live in hazardous, damp, mouldy, energy-inefficient homes.

Conclusion:
The Mayor’s budget must prioritize the housing crisis. Protecting and investing in social homes is a moral, legal, and financially prudent strategy.