Dear Fellow Londoner,
We had a busy week in the London Assembly as we returned from our ‘summer recess’. Here’s how we’ve been standing up for you and fighting to make our city a better place to live…
WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE - An awkward moment for Labour
The Labour Government has announced plans to remove the Winter Fuel Allowance from millions of pensioners. We are supporting Age UK’s campaign to fully reinstate the payment, which is vital to the wellbeing of so many pensioners and proposed a motion in the London Assembly. None of the City Hall Labour Assembly Members voted in favour.
Watch this awkward moment when City Hall Labour’s Assembly Members were confronted with their own previous tweets on this very issue!
PROTECTING THE GREEN BELT
The Green Belt is hugely important to many Londoners - not just to those who live in Boroughs which contain Green Belt land, but also to those in inner London Boroughs who either enjoy heading outwards to explore the amazing green spaces that surround our city, or who benefit from the health benefits and biodiversity that Green Belt land brings.
That’s why it’s worrying to see the Labour Government announce a potential weakening of Green Belt protections. We will urge Sadiq Khan to ensure that London’s planning policy (“The London Plan”) ensures our Green Belt is protected.
PEDICABS
Many of us have heard stories of “rogue pedicabs” which are unsafe or charge extortionate rates, for example a tourist who was charged £300 for a mile-long trip from Selfridges to Green Park station. We want to see these pedicabs regulated, and this week Emma Best AM urged Sadiq Khan to ensure that TfL started consulting on proposals for regulations as soon as possible.
ACCESSIBILITY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
There is a lot to be proud of when it comes to London’s public transport, but disabled people often face problems when it comes to accessibility. Neil Garratt AM heard at Transport Committee how some taxi drivers refuse to take passengers who have service dogs.
NIGHTLIFE
Finally, London’s nightlife has been a big topic of conversation over the summer. 46 pubs in London closed in just 6 months. At a meeting with stakeholders involved in the night-time economy, we discussed why many business owners disagree with Sadiq Khan when he says that London is a “24-hour city”.
We were sorry to see that Amy Lamé, Sadiq Khan’s Night Czar, was unable to attend.
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