Key information
Request reference number: MGLA020124-3008
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
- Under the Freedom of Information Act I would like to know how much the fireworks and security used on December 31st 2023 cost?
- I would also like to know how you justify using fireworks when you have a ULEZ zone in force in the London area and beyond. With all the clamour on climate change you will have a hard time convincing people not to use wood burning stoves.
- Drivers in those areas will also want to know if you used ULEZ money extracted from them to pay for the fireworks or was it from the rate payers?
- I am concerned with the hypocrisy of those proclaiming to fear for the planet and yet think a few fireworks do not matter.
Our response
- The budget available for the event was £3.85m, with additional costs being supported by ticket revenue of £1.75m. The GLA does not hold the final costs for the 2023 event – these are still being reconciled.
- Large firework displays are a rare occurrence, their impact is extremely short lived, localised and minimal. The London NYE 2023 display is held at an open venue, and the smoke and combustion by-products disperse rapidly in the majority of meteorological conditions.
- The budget for this event did not come from the ULEZ. Any income generated from the ULEZ goes to TfL, not the GLA. As per legal requirements, all income raised from ULEZ is reinvested into running and improving London’s public transport network. See more details here.
- Environment and sustainability are embedded in the procurement and contracting process for London’s New Year’s Eve event, with an environmental plan to manage key environmental impacts which the event management company consider throughout the planning and delivery process. These practices have meant that this year’s emissions were reduced by 26% since 2016