Tonight:
5°c
Assembly attacks Boris's cutbacks
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard8 Oct 2008
Boris Johnson was criticised over his spending cuts today.
A report from the London Assembly's budget and performance committee said the Mayor's freeze on the London council tax precept adds to the financial pressure on the Greater London Authority and its related bodies.
It also called on Mr Johnson to clarify how he will deal with the impact of inflation on the budget and additional projects such as Crossrail.
The Mayor has asked the Metropolitan-Police Authority to make savings of £13 million in 2009/10, in addition to the £40 million previously planned, while London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority needs to make savings of £2.2 million on top of the planned £4.2 million.
The report also explains how the economic climate and rising inflation will have an impact on the costs of goods, services, borrowing and salaries. Deputy leader of the Labour group and chairman of the committee, John Biggs, said: "Value for money is a glib phrase but a genuine drive towards greater value for money needs positive direction.
"We would like a clear statement from the Mayor about his intentions for numbers of police officers, firefighters and fire appliances over the next three years. We can't afford to lose valuable frontline staff, or see a reduction in the quality of services they deliver."
Reader views (1)
If Boris was doing something which the Labour party stalwart Biggs agreed with, he would be failing to deliver the things he was voted in for by over a million Londoners. Noise from Biggs means Boris is doing exactly what we asked him to and as such it’s music to my ears!
- St, London, 08/10/2008 13:27
Report abuse
