The London Assembly met for Mayor's Question Time on Thursday 26 February 2026, with the primary focus of the meeting being the consideration and approval of the Mayor of London's Final Draft Consolidated Budget for 2026-27. Following extensive debate and the tabling of multiple budget amendments by various political groups, the Assembly ultimately approved the Mayor's budget proposals without amendment.

Final Draft Consolidated Budget 2026-27

The core business of the meeting was the Assembly's duty to consider and approve the Mayor of London's Final Draft Consolidated Budget for 2026-27. The Mayor presented his budget proposals, which included an increase to the consolidated council tax requirement. Assembly Members then debated the budget and put forward several formal budget amendments and budget-related motions.

Budget Amendments and Motions:

• City Hall Conservative Group Amendment: Proposed by Neil Garratt AM and seconded by Emma Best AM, this amendment sought to freeze the Mayoral precept, arguing that savings could be found elsewhere within the GLA Group's budget. It also proposed funding for a Pothole Repair Fund, a London Exploitation Board, and additional funding for the Metropolitan Police Service. This amendment was put to a named vote and was not carried, failing to achieve the required two-thirds majority.

• Liberal Democrat Group Amendment: Proposed by Hina Bokhari OBE AM and seconded by Gareth Roberts AM, this amendment called for the creation of a salaried Disability Equality Champion role within the GLA. The amendment sought to fund this role by drawing from the Business Rates Reserve. This amendment was also put to a named vote and did not achieve the necessary two-thirds majority.

• Reform UK Group Amendments: Several amendments were proposed by Reform UK AMs Keith Prince and Alex Wilson.

  • One amendment, titled Toilets for Bus Drivers, sought to reduce the Safe and Healthy Streets budget to fund the installation of toilets at bus route termini. This amendment was not carried.
  • Another amendment, Addressing Knife Crime in London, proposed reallocating funds to increase Metropolitan Police Service funding, specifically for initiatives like Operation SCEPTRE. This amendment also failed to pass.
  • A further amendment, Reopening Broadmead Bridge, aimed to allocate funds from the Safe and Healthy Streets budget towards the repair of Broadmead Road Bridge in Woodford Green. This amendment was not carried.
  • A final Reform UK amendment, Saving Police Front Desks in London, called for the Mayor to halt planned closures of police station front counters and publish impact assessments. This amendment was amended by the Liberal Democrat and City Hall Conservative Groups and, in its amended form, was agreed unanimously.

• City Hall Green Group Amendment: Proposed by Caroline Russell AM and seconded by Zoë Garbett AM, this amendment sought to reprioritise investment within the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) budget, advocating for increased funding for youth services and MOPAC-funded victim support services, while questioning investments in drone technology and facial recognition. It also proposed funding for renters' unions and a London Renters' Commission, as well as funding for legal action against Heathrow expansion and for improving public transport accessibility. This amendment was not carried.

• Budget Related Motions:

  • A motion moved by Susan Hall AM and seconded by Neil Garratt AM, noting concerns about grooming gang criminality and calling on the Mayor to establish an Exploitation Board, support the National Grooming Gang Inquiry, and lobby the Home Secretary, was carried.
  • A motion moved by Thomas Turrell AM and seconded by Emma Best AM, highlighting concerns about road maintenance and calling for a £15 million Pothole Repair Fund and a London Infrastructure Renewal Strategy, was not carried.
  • A motion moved by Emma Best AM and seconded by Thomas Turrell AM, calling on the Mayor to allocate £175,000 from MOPAC's budget to secure the future of The Cyber Helpline, was carried.
  • A motion moved by Gareth Roberts AM and seconded by Emma Best AM, concerning the closure of police station front counters, was amended by Léonie Cooper AM and Caroline Russell AM. The amended motion, calling on the Mayor to halt closures, publish impact assessments, and report on front counter usage, was agreed unanimously.

Approval of the Budget:

Following the debate and votes on the various amendments and motions, the substantive motion to approve the Final Draft Consolidated Budget for 2026-27 without amendment was put to a vote. The motion was carried with 9 votes in favour and 8 votes against. Consequently, the Assembly was deemed to have approved the Final Draft Consolidated Budget without amendment, as per paragraph 8(6) of Schedule 6 to the Greater London Authority Act 1999.

Mayor's Report

The Assembly also noted the Mayor's Report, which covered the period from 1 January to 12 February 2026. This report detailed various activities and announcements made by the Mayor during that time, including initiatives related to housing, transport, environment, culture, and economy.

Questions to the Mayor

It was noted that all questions submitted to this meeting under the Mayor's Question Time procedure would receive a written response on 3 March 2026.

The meeting concluded at 5:23 pm.