The London Assembly convened for Mayor's Question Time, addressing a wide array of issues including the Met Police's use of AI, the ongoing housing crisis, and the city's preparedness for climate change. Key decisions included the Mayor's commitment to further investigate the use of AI in policing and to continue lobbying for devolved rent control powers, while discussions highlighted concerns over the procurement of large technology contracts and the impact of climate change on Londoners.

Policing and Technology

The meeting saw significant discussion around the Metropolitan Police's use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology to combat crime. Mayor Sadiq Khan highlighted that vehicle offences had fallen by 11% in the last year, with technology playing a crucial role. He confirmed that the Met Police generally limits AI tools to non-evidential administrative tasks, with operational uses being trialled on a limited pilot basis. Assembly Member Keith Prince raised concerns about the Met Police's access to live feeds from ULEZ ANPR cameras, suggesting it could aid in tackling vehicle crime. The Mayor agreed to investigate this further with the Met Police and Transport for London (TfL).

Assembly Member Thomas Turrell questioned the decision to block the Palantir contract, suggesting it was based on procurement grounds and asking if this would lead to further tough choices for the Met Police. The Mayor reiterated that decisions around the ULA procurement were subject to legal and commercial sensitivities, and that robust processes must be followed. He also confirmed that the Met Police Service was already planning for further difficult financial choices, irrespective of the Palantir decision, due to cumulative budget cuts.

Housing and Development

The housing crisis remained a central theme, with discussions on affordable housing delivery and the impact of climate change on new developments. Assembly Member Elly Baker questioned the Mayor's approach to releasing housing statistics and asked about changes to improve performance in delivering affordable housing. The Mayor defended the GLA's record, stating that over 10,000 affordable homes had been completed in each of the last five years, exceeding targets. He also discussed the City Hall developer and its potential to provide low-interest loans for housing projects, drawing inspiration from Vienna's social housing model.

Assembly Member James Small-Edwards raised concerns about overheating in new developments and the reliance on air conditioning. The Mayor clarified that the London Plan does not ban air conditioning but encourages passive cooling measures first, such as optimising window design and using external shading. He also confirmed that a roadmap for adapting London to heat risk would be launched.

Climate Change and Environment

London's preparedness for climate change was a significant focus. Assembly Member Alex Wilson questioned the additional cost of aiming for Net Zero by 2030 over the 2050 legal obligations, suggesting the target was unachievable and questioning value for money. The Mayor defended the Net Zero 2030 target as a mobiliser for action, highlighting investments in new trains for the Piccadilly line and DLR, zero-emission buses, and home insulation as examples of spending that contributes to both climate goals and cost-of-living relief. He also addressed concerns about the rapid electrification of the police fleet, arguing that it was a necessary renewal and that zero-emission vehicles offered long-term cost savings.

Assembly Member Gareth Roberts inquired about the implementation of recommendations from the 2024 Climate Resilience Review. The Mayor committed to providing a detailed response and mentioned the upcoming publication of a heat map to illustrate the challenges London faces. Discussions also touched upon flash flooding and the need for a Strategic Service Water Authority for London, with the Mayor confirming ongoing discussions with the government on this matter.

Transport and Infrastructure

The state of London's transport network, including fare evasion and the impact of extreme weather, was debated. Assembly Member Neil Garratt raised concerns about fare evasion, questioning the effectiveness of the Mayor's crackdown and the accuracy of reported figures. The Mayor stated he would provide the requested information and defended the trajectory of fare evasion reduction.

Assembly Member Joanne McCartney asked about the devolution of metro lines to TfL and the government's approach to GB Rail. The Mayor expressed a nuanced view, stating that TfL focuses on franchises where it can add value and is carefully considering affordability. He also confirmed ongoing discussions with the government regarding Great Northern Inner Suburban services.

The issue of loud music and phone calls on public transport was raised by Assembly Member Caroline Russell. The Mayor acknowledged the nuisance caused by a small minority and highlighted TfL's Travel Kind campaign, which encourages passengers to use headphones. He also committed to reviewing the possibility of station announcements regarding headphone use and exploring international examples.

Other Key Issues

• Private Hire Drivers: Assembly Member Elly Baker raised concerns about the private hire vehicle licensing backlog and the adequacy of goodwill payments offered to drivers. The Mayor provided figures on the reduction of backlogs and defended the goodwill payments as an exceptional arrangement, not intended as full compensation for losses. Discussions also touched upon the advent of autonomous passenger vehicles and their potential impact on private hire drivers, with the Mayor acknowledging the need for ongoing conversation and national regulation.
• LGBTQI+ Rights: Assembly Member Hina Bokhari OBE expressed concerns about the revised Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Code of Practice and its potential impact on trans-Londoners. The Mayor stated that while he had not personally discussed the code with the government, his Deputy Mayor for Equalities had been in contact. He assured the Assembly that the GLA would continue to work to ensure trans-Londoners feel valued and protected.
• London Stadium Deal: Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz criticised the previous Mayor's deal for the London Stadium, stating it had cost taxpayers over £10 million a year. The Mayor agreed that a significant error was made and outlined efforts to minimise losses and maximise revenue from the stadium.
• Data Centres: Assembly Member Bassam Mahfouz raised concerns about the environmental impact of data centres, particularly regarding heat offtake and water usage. The Mayor acknowledged these challenges and stated that the GLA is looking at water impact and grid impact, and that the London Plan will address planning guidance for data centres.
• NHS and Health Inequalities: Assembly Member Krupesh Hirani discussed improvements in the NHS, including falling waiting times and increased public satisfaction. The Mayor highlighted the importance of tackling health inequalities and working with partners to address the wider causes of ill health. He also affirmed the importance of the voluntary sector in delivering mental health services.
• Home Fire Safety: Assembly Member Anne Clarke inquired about training for London Fire Brigade staff on supporting vulnerable residents during home fire safety visits. The Mayor confirmed that staff receive comprehensive training, including on safeguarding. He also committed to exploring ways to better target fire safety messages to residents in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).

The meeting concluded with the Assembly noting the answers provided by the Mayor. The next scheduled meeting of the London Assembly will be the Plenary meeting on Thursday 2 July 2026.