The London Assembly convened for Mayor's Question Time on Thursday, 26 March 2026, to discuss a range of critical issues facing the capital. Key topics included the Mayor's final draft budget for 2026-27, with significant debate surrounding proposed increases to the Mayoral precept and alternative budget amendments put forward by various political groups. The Assembly also addressed concerns regarding road safety, housing affordability, and the operational effectiveness of the Metropolitan Police Service.

Budget and Council Tax

The central focus of the meeting was the debate and voting on the Mayor's Final Draft Consolidated Budget for 2026-27. The Mayor's proposal included an increase to the Mayoral precept, which was met with opposition from several Assembly Members.

• Conservative Group Amendment: Moved by Neil Garratt AM and seconded by Emma Best AM, this amendment proposed freezing the Mayoral precept, funded by savings and efficiencies across the GLA Group. It also sought to allocate additional funding to a Pothole Repair Fund (£15 million), establish a London Exploitation Board (£1.5 million), and provide an additional £22.5 million to the Metropolitan Police Service. The amendment was defeated, failing to achieve the necessary two-thirds majority.
• Liberal Democrat Group Amendment: Moved by Hina Bokhari OBE AM and seconded by Gareth Roberts AM, this amendment called for the creation of a salaried Disability Equality Champion role, costing £152,000 over two years, funded by a draw from the Business Rates Reserve. This amendment also failed to achieve the required majority.
• Reform UK Group Amendments: Several amendments were proposed by Reform UK, including one focused on Toilets for Bus Drivers, which sought to reallocate £20 million from the Safe and Healthy Streets budget to install toilets on bus routes. Another amendment, Addressing Knife Crime in London, aimed to reallocate funds to tackle knife crime. A third Reform UK amendment, Saving Police Front Desks in London, also failed to pass.
• Green Group Amendment: Moved by Caroline Russell AM and seconded by Zoë Garbett AM, this amendment also failed to achieve the necessary majority.
• Further Formal Budget Amendment: A joint amendment from the Liberal Democrat and Conservative Groups was moved by Gareth Roberts AM and seconded by Emma Best AM. This amendment also failed to achieve the required majority.
• Budget Related Motions:
  • A motion moved by Susan Hall AM, seconded by Neil Garratt AM, calling for the formation of an Exploitation Board and other measures to tackle grooming gangs, was carried.
  • A motion moved by Thomas Turrell AM and seconded by Emma Best AM, 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 for the allocation of £175,000 to The Cyber Helpline, was carried.
  • A motion moved by Andrew Boff AM and seconded by Susan Hall AM, regarding the Gallows Corner junction, was not carried.
  • A motion moved by Emma Best AM and seconded by Thomas Turrell AM, regarding Broadmead Road Bridge, was carried.
  • A motion moved by Alex Wilson AM and seconded by Keith Prince AM, regarding saving police front desks, was not carried.
  • A motion moved by Gareth Roberts AM and seconded by Emma Best AM, calling for a halt to police station front counter closures and the publication of an Equality Impact Assessment, was agreed unanimously after an amendment by Léonie Cooper AM and Caroline Russell AM.
• Substantive Motion: The substantive motion to approve the Final Draft Consolidated Budget for 2026-27 without amendment was carried by 9 votes to 8.

Mayor's Report and Questions to the Mayor

The Assembly received the Mayor's Report covering the period from 13 February to 12 March 2026. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to Assembly Members asking the Mayor questions on a wide range of topics.

Road Safety and Vision Zero

Assembly Member Caroline Russell raised concerns about the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) approach to illegal e-bikes, questioning whether enforcement tactics might disproportionately affect exploited workers. The Mayor acknowledged the point and stated that officers would review the matter. Russell also highlighted the importance of peer-to-peer support for victims of road traffic collisions, and the Mayor agreed to meet with her and Abby Toghill to discuss a proposal for an online community forum.

Assembly Member Krupesh Hirani questioned the effectiveness of Vision Zero in making dangerous junctions safer, and the Mayor responded by highlighting the £95 million funding allocated to boroughs for Local Implementation Plans (LIPs) to support borough-led safety projects. Hirani also raised concerns about a specific dangerous junction in North Harrow, and the Mayor committed to having his Deputy Mayor for Transport contact Hirani with an update.

Housing and Estate Regeneration

Assembly Member Zoë Garbett raised concerns about estate regeneration, citing feedback from residents who felt that despite the Mayor's ballot requirement and planning policies, community involvement was being bypassed and residents were being pushed out. The Mayor acknowledged these concerns and stated that his policies aimed to give residents a decisive say and prevent displacement. Garbett also questioned the discontinuation of the Community Housing Fund and its impact on community housing in London, to which the Mayor responded that he would continue to support community-led housing projects where they met eligibility under the London Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026-36.

Assembly Member Elly Baker questioned the accessibility of new homes, particularly for disabled residents, and the Mayor outlined existing London Plan policies and the use of negotiated grant rates to reflect the costs of delivering accessible homes. Baker also inquired about the funding and monitoring of the emergency housing measures.

Assembly Member Andrew Boff raised concerns about leasehold service charges in Barking and Dagenham, and the Mayor stated he was aware of the issues and his team was in contact with Hillingdon Council regarding the Union Park development. Boff also questioned the transparency of the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) and the Mayor provided details of their engagement with residents, businesses, community groups, disability groups, and the Metropolitan Police.

Policing and Crime

Assembly Member Emma Best raised several questions regarding police front counters, including the cost of video screens, access for residents in Chingford, and the verification of identity for bail sign-ons. The Mayor explained that weatherproof phones would not be used for bail sign-ons and that alternative arrangements were in place. Best also questioned the MPS's data collection on officer attrition and retention, and the Mayor stated that officers were drafting responses.

Assembly Member Susan Hall questioned the Mayor on the Met Police's Mounted Branch, asking about ward-level impact assessments and mitigation for the reduction in patrols. The Mayor explained that resource deployment would be based on threat, harm, and risk, and that neighbourhood policing would continue to provide a visible presence. Hall also raised questions about the Met's estate strategy, ARIS seizures, and the use of transgender toilets, with the Mayor stating officers were drafting responses for most of these.

Assembly Member Marina Ahmad asked about the Met Police's involvement in Operation Beaconport, and the Mayor stated officers were drafting a response.

Transport

Assembly Member Neil Garratt raised multiple questions regarding bus driver fatigue, bus speeds, and bus-related collisions. The Mayor stated that TfL had commissioned a review of fatigue risk management plans and that assurance checks were in place. He also provided data on bus collisions and stated that TfL did not hold specific data on bus speeds exceeding 20mph. Garratt also questioned TfL's capital renewals backlog, particularly concerning tunnels and highways structures, and the Mayor indicated officers were drafting responses.

Assembly Member Thomas Turrell questioned the progress and cost of the Central Line Improvement Programme, and the Mayor confirmed the programme was on track for completion in 2029, with signalling upgrades expected in the early 2040s. Turrell also raised concerns about LIP and PRN funding, and the Mayor stated that TfL was working with boroughs to ensure available funding delivered the greatest benefit.

Assembly Member Krupesh Hirani asked for updates on cycling improvements in Wembley to Willesden Junction and Kilburn High Road, and the Mayor provided details on the progress of these schemes.

Assembly Member Alex Wilson questioned the Mayor on job losses, business closures, and the impact of National Insurance increases on bus contracts. The Mayor stated that the London Growth Plan was supporting businesses and that TfL was working with government on business rate reforms.

Environment and Energy

Assembly Member Zack Polanski raised questions about the GLA's recycling rate, the District Heating Network risks for LLDC, and the PFAS Plan. The Mayor highlighted the GLA's own high recycling rate and the ongoing work to improve London's overall recycling figures. He also stated that the LLDC's District Heating Network risks were being mitigated and that the GLA was engaging with the Government on the PFAS Plan. Polanski also inquired about the Integrated Water Management Strategy and the Mayor indicated officers were drafting a response.

Assembly Member Leonie Cooper raised concerns about energy advice service funding, the Fuel Poverty Action Plan, and ReLondon's financial sustainability. The Mayor outlined the Warmer Homes London initiative and stated that ReLondon was pursuing a diverse funding portfolio. Cooper also asked about re-use targets, to which the Mayor responded that he did not have plans to introduce them.

Other Matters

Assembly Member Marina Ahmad raised concerns about Tube noise in Kennington and the Mayor detailed ongoing efforts to reduce noise levels. Ahmad also inquired about road safety at the junction of Kennington Lane and Kennington Road, and the Mayor confirmed improvements had been introduced.

Assembly Member Hina Bokhari OBE raised questions about water fountains, Refill London, and Vision Zero. The Mayor provided data on water dispensed from fountains and stated that the Refill London campaign had established over 4,600 refill points. He also confirmed that TfL was working with boroughs on safer junctions.

Petitions

Andrew Boff AM presented a petition regarding the Thames View Playing Fields and Ripple Greenway, calling for their designation as Metropolitan Open Land to ensure their preservation. The Assembly agreed to suspend Standing Order 3.20 to receive the petition.

Proposed Delegation of Authority

The Assembly agreed to give a general delegation of authority to the Chair of the Assembly, in consultation with party Group Leaders, relevant Committee Chairs, and the Chair of the GLA Oversight Committee, to deal with urgent matters from the close of the meeting until the next Assembly meeting on 11 May 2026.

Urgent Business

An urgent motion regarding a doctor's strike was proposed by Assembly Member Alex Wilson. However, the motion was not carried after a vote. The Chair indicated that discussions would continue outside the meeting with group leaders.

The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chair for their chairmanship over the past year.