Meeting the real needs of London' - Lib Dems set out their alternatives to the Mayor's budget

10.40.00am GMT Wed 28th Jan 2009

Help for Londoners facing tough economic times and long term action to improve London's environment are the key proposals put forward by the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group in their alternative budget proposals, which would lead to no increase in the Mayor's council tax bill.

Mike Tuffrey, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Assembly Group said:

"We believe that the Mayor's draft budget contains too much short term thinking and not enough real vision for London. It simply fails to tackle the immediate challenges facing Londoners, or the long term challenges facing London's environment.

"Many families have already faced redundancies and many more face the daunting prospect of unemployment in 2009. The Mayor cannot stop people losing their jobs but the least he must do is provide help to stop people losing their homes. It is time to give the voluntary sector the means to provide advice and counselling for the increasing number of people who are unemployed and in debt.

On the environmental challenges facing London Mike Tuffrey said:

"With over 1,000 premature deaths per year due to pollution in London this is a key issue for the capital. We need to work to improve London's air quality with the same vigour that has long been devoted to reducing road accidents. We propose increased pedestrianisation such as Oxford Street, completing the London Cycle network and proper consideration of a Low Emission Zone in central London.

Highlighting how the Liberal Democrat proposals would not lead to a higher bill for council taxpayer's Mike Tuffrey said:

"By ending the Mayor's wasteful expenditure on publicity, restructuring the finances of the Met police and fire service and reducing fare evasion on the transport network the Liberal Democrat proposals could be implemented at no extra cost to London taxpayers. If the Mayor has real ambitions for London we hope he will listen carefully to these bold proposals to tackle London's immense challenges."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The Liberal Democrat Assembly Group will be proposing a motion at today's (Wednesday 28 January) Draft Budget meeting, a copy of which is enclosed.

Liberal Democrat Motion on Mayor's Draft Consolidated Budget 2009-10

At this time of economic downturn, it is more important than ever that the GLA family should use its resources wisely and focus spending carefully on areas that improve the lives of Londoners.

Better life for Londoners

This Assembly proposes that the Mayor, in drawing up his final budget, should include the following measures to create a better life for Londoners, now and in the future:

· A youth worker with every Safer Neighbourhood Team, to work with those at most risk and so preventing youth crime at source

· Support to voluntary sector organisations offering financial advice to Londoners coping with the credit crunch

· Targeted projects to provide training and skills for school leavers and job seekers through the LDA, including environmental industries

· Promoting good value fares, such as a one hour bus ticket and enabling Londoners to identify the best value fares through an online fares calculator

· Further investment in walking and cycling, including completion of the London Cycle Network Plus, providing cycle maintenance points and a London walking map

· Fulfilling the promise of more orbital express bus routes, beginning with the "Fastbus" in Brent and Ealing

· Moving ahead with the East London Line phase 2 extension

· Improving the service to vulnerable Londoners through an independent audit of Dial-a-Ride

· A feasibility study into an inner London Low Emission Zone, to increase health, save lives and improve air quality

· Making more homes affordable to heat by meeting up-to-date environmental standards

Efficiency and value for money for Londoners

In his final budget, we call on the Mayor to address efficiency and value for money by:

· Instigating zero-base budgeting pilots for the MPS and LFEPA

· Tackling fare evasion on London's transport

· Reviewing the provision of free travel for TfL staff nominees and the bonus packages at TfL

· Reducing the amount spent on holding and publicising the Mayor's additional public meetings

The Assembly hopes and expects that these points will be incorporated into the Mayor's final budget when it is presented to the Assembly on 11 February.

Copy of supporting document is available in the documents section.