Mayor of London must reconsider his plans over council tax, says budget committee
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is being urged to ‘think again’ after announcing his intention to increase council tax to the maximum extent.
The London Assembly believes Londoners already struggling through a cost-of-living crisis will not be able to cope with rising bills.
The cross-party London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee has published its response to the Mayor’s Draft Consultation Budget for the Greater London Authority (GLA) Group for 2023-24.
The committee has raised a number of concerns in its report, published today, as well as ones over potential council tax rises.
It is worried about Tfl plans to cover operational costs, the removal of a target budget by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime to recruit 6,000 additional police officers and financial pressures facing the London Fire Commissioner.
The Mayor oversees a total budget of £20bn and is responsible for setting the agenda for the GLA and its functional bodies.
The report encourages the Mayor to reassess his intention of raising council tax to the full extent (which could mean an increase of up to 9.7 per cent), and to clearly set out the potential increase in costs for TfL fares.
Peter Fortune, chairman of the Budget and Performance Committee, said: “With rising inflation and the increasing cost-of-living pressures, the Mayor’s 2023-24 budget poses significant challenges for Londoners.
“There are currently too many unknowns, including what the rise in council tax and TfL fares will look like, and further challenges associated with the ULEZ expansion, reform of the Metropolitan Police and costs of the London Fire Brigade.
“We are operating in times of uncertainty for families and businesses, and we urge the Mayor to seriously consider the recommendations included within this report to help alleviate some pressures on Londoners in what is already an incredibly challenging time.
“As it stands, there are more questions than answers with this budget.”
The Mayor is due to meet the Budget and Performance Committee next month.
Pictured top: Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (Picture: PA)