The Mayor’s budget for 2019/20 lives in the long shadow of Crossrail. Ripples from the delay and escalating costs have already hit cherished modernisation programmes.
While Government funding restrictions on the police budget have limited the Mayor’s ability to act, he has restricted his own room for manoeuvre in areas that he does control – such as the continuing fares freeze.
There are laudable targets on a number of important areas for London but questions remain over how these will be achieved.
On 16 January, the London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee published its Response to the Mayor’s Draft Consultation Budget 2019/20 which highlights areas of potential concern within the Mayor’s numbers.
The Committee’s response highlights:
• The impact of the Crossrail delay and a potential renewed fares freeze
• The uncertainty of funding for Crossrail 2
• Police officer numbers amid concerns over violent crime and a lack of clarity over the impact of reductions in central government funding
• The need to maintain strong house-building growth
• The ability to measure and judge the Mayor’s performance
Gareth Bacon AM, Chairman of the Budget & Performance Committee, said: “The enormity of the Crossrail delay has been a bodyblow to Londoners and London’s prestige. It puts more pressure on the Mayor’s financial plans and could restrict his ability to fund other critical projects.
“This is especially worrying when he faces huge pressures on all sides, including the urgent requirement to support high profile policing at a time when violent crime is so visible.
“Fuzzy targets cannot become an excuse for a culture of backsliding and sidestepping. We hope the Mayor will update his budget to reflect our concerns and stiffen the spine on his planned body of work.”