London’s place in the Government’s proposed devolution reforms - survey responses

A YouGov survey commissioned by the GLA Oversight Committee, as part of its investigation into London’s place in the Government’s proposed devolution reforms, has found that 66% of Londoners believe London Assembly powers should be
strengthened or maintained if the office of the Mayor were given more devolved powers.

The survey found that, when respondents were asked whether the London Assembly should get more or fewer powers if the office of the Mayor were to be given more devolved powers, a total of 66% of Londoners considered the Assembly’s position should be either maintained or increased – with 36% believing the London Assembly should get more powers and 30% thinking the role should stay the same. Only 5% think that the Assembly should have fewer powers.

The survey also found that if the office of the Mayor of London were given more control over taxes raised in London, 41% of Londoners expressed support for the office of the Mayor of London to have control over a tourism levy (a potential tax on overnight stays or a surcharge on visitor attractions for overseas visitors). Where potential future devolved powers were concerned, regulating private rented accommodation (26%), NHS services (25%), and the criminal justice system and policing (25%) were three of the areas in which Londoners expressed strongest support for the office of the Mayor of London receiving more devolved powers, if they had to choose.