This week in Greater London Authority:

Renters' Rights Act: A New Dawn or More Hurdles for London's Tenants?

The Housing Committee met on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, to scrutinise the implementation of the landmark Renters' Rights Act in London. The Act, which received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025, promises significant protections for private renters, including the abolition of 'no-fault' evictions and the introduction of periodic tenancies. However, the committee heard stark warnings from tenant advocacy groups about potential enforcement gaps and the ongoing affordability crisis.

Niamh Evans of the Renters' Reform Coalition emphasised the Act's potential to empower renters, stating, This will hugely empower renters, not just through providing security for them and removing the fear of being evicted at any time at the whim of a landlord, but it will also empower them through lessening the fear that if they ask for something such as a repair, that they might be evicted as a retaliation. This is particularly crucial in London, which has some of the highest rates of landlord possessions in the country.

However, Paul Williams of ACORN voiced significant concerns about enforcement, warning that landlords and letting agents can just bully people as well, using Section 21. He highlighted that the Act's measures to improve housing standards, such as the Decent Homes Standard, are not due to come into effect until 2035, a timeline he described as ridiculous. The lack of focus on affordability was also a major point of contention, with calls for rent controls and increased social housing.

The committee heard that while the Act aims to provide greater security, vulnerable renters could still face significant challenges. Alva Gottby from the London Renters' Union noted that more vulnerable tenants, tenants who don't have the experience of going to tribunal, will naturally be hesitant to use that system if they don't know how it works. This could lead to a two-tier system where those most in need are least likely to access their new rights. The potential for landlords to exploit loopholes, such as using licence agreements to circumvent assured tenancies, was also raised.

The effectiveness of the Act hinges on robust enforcement, a point repeatedly stressed by the panel. Ben Toomey of Generation Rent stated, The Act will only be as effective as how well it is enforced, and that is our primary concern. He pointed to a stark statistic: over a third of councils didn't prosecute a single landlord in a recent three-year period. Without adequate funding and skilled staff, local authorities may struggle to implement the new duties, leaving renters exposed.

The implications for London's housing market are significant. While the Act aims to create a fairer system, the lack of immediate action on affordability and the potential for weak enforcement could mean that many Londoners continue to struggle with insecure and unaffordable housing.

• Housing Committee meeting details

Breast Cancer Screening: London's Uptake Gap and the Fight for Equity

The Health Committee met on Thursday, 22 January 2026, to confront the persistent issue of low breast cancer screening uptake in London. Despite being a vital tool for early detection and saving lives, London's uptake rate hovers around 63%, falling short of the NHS target of 70%. The committee heard how this disparity disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including women in more deprived areas, Black women, and transgender individuals.

Helen Dickens from Breast Cancer Now highlighted the multifaceted barriers: Some of that is sort of general across the breast screening program nationally. And some of those factors are compounded in London. These include a lack of awareness, fear of the procedure, and practical issues like transport and accessibility. For Black women, Leanne Graham of Black Women Rising spoke powerfully about historical medical mistrust and a lack of culturally appropriate materials: When I got my diagnosis, I didn't really see any women of colour on the materials that I was receiving, so that didn't let me know that I was welcome in their spaces.

The committee also heard about the specific challenges faced by transgender and non-binary individuals. Lee Dibbon from Outpatients explained that the current invitation system, based on NHS record markers, often excludes transgender men who may still need screening and transgender women who have an increased risk due to hormone therapy. We're seeing a system that isn't quite well designed to manage the nuances of the communities that we now see within London, Dibbon stated.

The impact of these low uptake rates is stark. Dr. Josephine Rowende from NHS London confirmed that lower screening uptake theoretically leads to later diagnoses and potentially worse outcomes. While London has a robust cancer registry, the lack of accurate data due to population churn—people moving addresses frequently—hinders targeted outreach. The committee was told that even affluent areas in London show low uptake, often due to residents being away for extended periods or opting for private screening, which isn't captured in NHS statistics.

The discussion underscored the urgent need for tailored, culturally sensitive approaches and improved data collection. The upcoming National Cancer Plan and the transfer of commissioning powers to Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in April 2027 were identified as crucial opportunities to address these deep-seated inequalities. The real-world impact of these issues means that some Londoners are missing out on potentially life-saving early diagnoses, highlighting the critical need for systemic change.

• Health Committee meeting details

London's Congestion Conundrum: Balancing Movement and Sustainability

The Transport Committee met on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, to delve into the complex issue of road space, driving, and congestion in London. With London named the most congested city in Europe, the committee questioned how Transport for London (TfL) balances the need for efficient movement with its commitment to reducing traffic and promoting sustainable travel.

Christina Calderato, TfL's Director of Transport Strategy and Policy, explained that TfL uses integrated mapping and modelling to assess road space allocation, prioritising modes like buses and cycling where they offer greater efficiency. However, the committee heard that while overall traffic in London has decreased since pre-pandemic levels, congestion appears to be worsening. This paradox was attributed, in part, to policy decisions like the reallocation of road space for active travel, which, while beneficial for sustainability, can impact general traffic flow.

Carl Edelson, Director of Streets and Network Operations at TfL, highlighted the technological advancements in traffic management, including the Fusion signal optimiser, designed to improve traffic flow. However, the committee expressed concern that these technological solutions might not be enough to counteract the impact of policies that reduce road space for general traffic. Assembly Member Keith Prince questioned the effectiveness of Localised Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs), suggesting they might be pushing traffic onto main roads, leading to increased congestion. While Edelson acknowledged LTNs provide safety and active travel benefits, he admitted that in some locations, they could increase congestion on surrounding roads.

A significant point of discussion was the Mayor's commitment to a 27% traffic reduction target by 2030 as part of the net-zero strategy. However, the Mayor's repudiation of 'pay per mile' road user charging has left a policy gap. While TfL insists it is still working towards net-zero through other means, the committee expressed concern about the lack of a clear, alternative plan to achieve this ambitious target, especially with 2030 rapidly approaching.

The committee also explored the motivations behind private car use, particularly in outer London, where car ownership remains high. While TfL aims to make sustainable modes more attractive, the reality for many outer Londoners, especially families and those with mobility issues, is that cars remain a necessity. The ongoing challenges with bus reliability and the curtailment of routes were also raised, creating a vicious circle where reduced service leads to lower ridership, which in turn can lead to further service cuts.

The discussion underscored the intricate challenges of managing London's transport network. While TfL is implementing new technologies and promoting sustainable travel, the committee's questions highlighted a persistent concern: are these measures sufficient to tackle growing congestion and ensure essential journeys remain feasible for all Londoners, particularly those in outer London and those reliant on public transport?

• Transport Committee meeting details

Other Matters

• The GLA Oversight Committee met on Wednesday, 21 January 2026. The committee reviewed its work programme, discussed budget performance, and noted actions taken under delegated authority. Key topics included the Assembly's ways of working and the transfer of the former Greater London Council's Coat of Arms to the GLA.
  • GLA Oversight Committee meeting details

Upcoming Meetings

• Planning and Regeneration Committee: Wednesday, 28 January 2026, 00:00. Topics include a site visit proposal to Clamart, France, and a discussion on New Towns for London - Part 1.
  • Planning and Regeneration Committee meeting details
• Budget and Performance Committee: Monday, 26 January 2026, 00:00. Topics include the 2026-27 GLA Group Budget (MOPAC and TfL), payments over £250, and the committee's work programme.
  • Budget and Performance Committee meeting details
• Police and Crime Committee: Wednesday, 28 January 2026, 00:00. Topics include a question and answer session with MOPAC and a review of the committee's work programme.
  • Police and Crime Committee meeting details
• London Assembly (Plenary): Thursday, 29 January 2026, 00:00. The Assembly will consider the Mayor's draft Consolidated Budget for 2026-27.
  • London Assembly (Plenary) meeting details
• Environment Committee: Tuesday, 03 February 2026, 00:00. Topics to be confirmed.
  • Environment Committee meeting details
• Economy, Culture and Skills Committee: Wednesday, 04 February 2026, 00:00. Topics to be confirmed.
  • Economy, Culture and Skills Committee meeting details
• London Assembly (Plenary): Thursday, 05 February 2026, 00:00. The Assembly will hold a question and answer session with invited guests on London's economy, jobs, and growth.
  • London Assembly (Plenary) meeting details