Key information
Request reference number: MGLA020124-2906
Date of response:
Summary of request
- I would like to know how many communications have been sent by the London Mayor to the Mayor of Kyiv since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia on Feb 24, 2022, with dates and times.
- I would like to know, for the period October 19-Dec 13 2023, inclusive, how many meetings were held within the GLA generally (including TfL), and within the Mayor’s international office in particular, that featured as a subject in part or as the main item, the subject of potentially sending scrappage eligible vehicles to Ukraine.
- I would also like to know what political discussions have taken place on the subject of sending scrappage eligible vehicles to Ukraine, broken down by (a) meetings at which the Mayor was present (b) meetings at which the Mayor’s Chief of Staff was present (c) any of the above where a representative of TfL was present (d) any of the above where a member of the Mayor’s International Office was present.
- I would also like to know what exact vehicles and or equipment or aid has been sent to Ukraine by the GLA or associated services (police, fire, ambulance) since Feb 24 2022, broken down by donor.
- I would finally ask what the Mayor’s international strategy is with regard to Ukraine, and any document that has specified such a strategy since the Russian invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24, 2022.
Our response
1. Since 24 February, the Mayor of London has sent two letters to the Mayor of Kyiv, as follows:
- 24th February 2022 (Due to the relevant staff member's absence from work, we are currently unable to confirm the exact time this letter was sent by email).
- 12th December 2023 at 5.11pm.
2. The GLA does not hold information that answers parts 2 and 3 of your request. We have not logged or recorded all the meetings that have taken place. This is an evolving area of work and meetings have taken place on an impromptu basis. To determine this information would therefore require the creation of new information or the provision of a judgement, explanation, advice or opinion that was not already recorded at the time of your request.
43. The GLA has not sent any vehicles to Ukraine and maintains only a very small number of vehicles.
The GLA does not hold information on what exact vehicles have been sent by GLA Group bodies to Ukraine since February 2022. We are aware that LFB sent two fire engines as part of a national scheme in 2022, but you should contact them if you require further details on the exact model / make. We are also aware that the LFB donated the following equipment as part of a national scheme in 2023:
If you wish to contact the London Fire Brigade (LFB) directly for more information at: Transparency | London Fire Brigade
Whilst the GLA and the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) are closely linked, they are separate Public Authorities for the purposes of The Freedom of Information Act 2000, as per schedule 1 of the Act, so you may wish to send a further request to MOPAC at: [email protected].
The London Ambulance Service is not a GLA Group organisation. You may wish to send a further request to the London Ambulance Service. Further information on how to do this can be found at: Freedom of Information - London Ambulance Service NHS Trust
4. The Mayor of London has recently set out his support to-date for Ukraine to the London Assembly here: The War in Ukraine
The GLA’s relationship with Kyiv pre-dates the start of the war on 24th February 2022, with frequent engagement between representatives of London and Kyiv on a range of policy issues over many years.
Since the start of the conflict in February 2022, the Mayor has repeatedly shown his support for both Ukraine and for Ukrainians who have come to London having had to flee their homes. Officials in London & Kyiv also continue to engage regularly, with the GLA having hosted at least three delegations from Kyiv in the last year alone. The GLA also continues to engage with Kyiv through multilateral city-to-city networks, such as the World Cities Culture Forum. Further information about this can be found here: World Cities Culture Forum – KYIV JOINS THE WORLD CITIES CULTURE FORUM - World Cities Culture Forum