Key information
Request reference number: MGLA070426-7523
Date of response:
Summary of request
I would like to know the level of funding from the GLA for the celebrations on the
Square. How much was spent on security especially for St Patrick's, Vaisakhi, The recent
Iftar, St George's etc. I believe an extra £4.8 m has just been awarded to Carnival. The
Passion play on Good Friday is now defunct because of lack of money for security for
the event. Cannot the GLA help with this. It was an extremely popular event celebrating
our Nation's Christianity.
Our response
The GLA has a core budget of £1.3m to deliver and support community and cultural events that take place on Trafalgar Square. The Open Iftar does not receive any funding from the GLA. The security provision at each event is based on a number of factors, which the health and safety, and crowd management manager would consider, along with advice from statutory agencies including the local authority and metropolitan police.
In terms of the Passion of Jesus, we were very saddened by The Wintershall Charity’s announcement that they are not continuing with this event. However, we have reached out to them to understand their challenges and see what help they may need to continue.
The costs of security is exempt from disclosure. Section 38(1)(b) of the Act is duly engaged because of the potential risk to public safety as set out in the Act. We do not provide details of the security provision, or detailed cost breakdowns at our events, which could compromise the security plans generally.
Section 38(1)(b) is a qualified exemption under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and therefore requires consideration of whether the public interest in disclosure outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption.
There is a recognised public interest in the disclosure of information that demonstrates the work of public bodies involved in planning and delivering events of this nature. Disclosure can support public understanding of decision-making processes and promote transparency, which in turn helps to build public confidence in the integrity of those procedures.
However, there are strong public interest considerations favouring non-disclosure. Releasing the requested information into the public domain would create a real risk of speculation about the nature and extent of security arrangements, based on the level of expenditure incurred. Such speculation could undermine the effectiveness of those arrangements and increase the risk at an event if accessed by individuals intent on causing harm. It is not in the public interest to disclose information that could be directly or indirectly used to facilitate harm to the public.
The information withheld is not essential to an understanding of the event itself and may be reused, in part, for the planning and administration of future events. Safeguarding the public, avoiding prejudice to operations to prevent and detect crime, and protecting the safety of those attending events in London are therefore considered to be of paramount importance. While the GLA recognises the public interest in transparency, accountability, and appropriate scrutiny of public spending, it has determined that the risk of prejudice arising from disclosure is significant. On balance, the public interest in maintaining the exemption under section 38(1)(b) outweighs the public interest in disclosure of the withheld information.