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Boris saves City Hall 'embassies'
Pippa Crerar, City Hall Editor19.01.09
BORIS Johnson today announced that City Hall's "foreign embassies" would continue because they are a good way of promoting London abroad during the economic downturn.
The Mayor set up a review to see if five international offices set up by his predecessor Ken Livingstone offered value for money. He has concluded the GLA operations in Delhi, Mumbai, Shanghai, Beijing and Brussels are vital in helping the capital through the recession.
Deputy mayor Ian Clement, who conducted the review, said there was scope for cutting running costs, which stood at a total £1.4 million last year. He said: "The review has found the GLA's offices play an important role in promoting London's interests. However, there are significant savings we can make."
Mr Johnson is due to close a sixth office in Venezuela.
Reader views (7)
I think you'll find it's good politics. It seems that they may very well serve a purpose to London after all.
As long as Boris runs a tight ship I won't be complaining. Crony politics is over now and I am thankful for it!
- Clint Heine, Shepherds Bush
It makes sense to keep the ones mentioned (provided they are closely monitored), but at least he is not keeping Caracas which was just a self-indulgent gesture from Ken. Especially as Chavez has sworn to sink the British Navy should it ever attempt to go and defend the Falklands again....
- Beatriz, London
I'm astonished and would like to see more detail of why we shouldn't save money. There is absolutely no need to have regional embassies abroad, why can't they make use of Britain's ambassadors?
From what I recall of Red Ken, he used the pad that the GLA shared with the LGA in Brussels for vanity projects like trying to interest the continentals in his congestion charge. Hardly essential to promoting London?
- Jools, London
So, Ken was right to put these in place after all. Boris, Boris, Boris...
- Didi, London, UK
I'm sure Boris knows what he is doing. I trust him 100%.
- Paula, London
Is this a U-Turn, or just an endorsement of Ken's view that these "missions" are good for London and our economy?
Either way, This will be seen by proper Tories as another example of Boris saying one thing (again) and doing another (again)
- Fresh, London
Its obvious Livingstone hasn't really gone, he's died his hair blonde and learnt how to ride a bike.
- David, London UK
