Key information
Request reference number: MGLA020424-9843
Date of response:
Summary of request
Copy of Request:
Under the Freedom of Information act, please provide me with the following information:
1. The expenditure of taxpayers money for the London Ramadan celebrations.
2. The expenditure of taxpayers money for the London's Easter celebrations.
Response:
Please note - If you are referring to the Ramadan Lights in the West End this year, I can confirm that the GLA does not hold information about how much was spent on these decorations. These were not organised or paid for by the Greater London Authority (GLA). They were organised and funded by The Aziz Foundation. The Mayor was invited to switch them on and therefore attended. Westminster City Council granted permission for them to be hung, as it is their land.
Please find below the information we hold within the scope of your request.
1. The expenditure of taxpayers money for the London Ramadan celebrations.
The GLA supported the delivery of the Open Iftar on Trafalgar Square on 8 April 2024 through advice to the event organisers (as we do in our events role with other supported events). There is no funding provided by the GLA for this event.
The GLA’s Race Equity staff Network held a lunchtime lived experience session for staff online through Microsoft Teams to learn about Ramadan and a staff iftar was held at City Hall. The staff iftar food cost was £3,823.20.
2. The expenditure of taxpayers money for the London's Easter celebrations.
The GLA supported the delivery of the Passion of Jesus performance on Trafalgar Square on Good Friday, 29 March 2024, through advice to the event organisers (as we do in our events role with other supported events). There is no funding provided by the GLA for this event.
The GLA’s Christian staff Network spent £497.83 hosting the Easter Event which was a hybrid event at City Hall and on MS teams.
If you have any further questions relating to this matter, please contact me, quoting the reference MGLA020424-9843.