Protect frontline policing and give Londoners back a tenner – Lib Dem London Assembly Group challenges Mayor to help Londoners (Ilford North Liberal Democrats)

Ilford North Liberal Democrats <dominic247@btinternet.com>

Protect frontline policing and give Londoners back a tenner – Lib Dem London Assembly Group challenges Mayor to help Londoners

January 25, 2012 1:22 PM
Originally published by London Assembly Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group will today put forward budget proposals which challenge the Mayor's current proposals on policing, transport, the environment and housing. The budget proposals include targeted fare cuts to help Londoners on the lowest incomes, extra policing and action to make London's roads safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

In a detailed amendment to the Mayor of London's draft Budget the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group plans to use savings obtained from cutting waste, abolishing perks to staff, selling properties and tackling fare evasion to ensure frontline services are protected whilst delivering a cut of 3.2% in the GLA's share of Council Tax bills, giving average London households £10 back.

The specific proposals include:

A better and fairer fares package

, including a One Hour Bus Ticket, the introduction of part-weekly Travelcards, the reintroduction of a one-day Zone 2 - 6 Travelcard and a lower 'early bird' fare for tube, DLR and TfL rail

The reinstatement of 150 sergeant posts

that have been removed from Safer Neighbourhood Teams across London

Action to start switching all of London's bus fleet to electric buses by 2020

Improvement work on London's most dangerous junctions and all junctions on the existing Cycle Superhighways,

combined with more cycle training and the rollout of safety mirrors

Action to tackle rogue landlords and establish minimum standards for private rented housing

Commenting on the proposals Mike Tuffrey, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group Budget spokesperson said:

"When most Londoners are struggling with zero pay rises and increased household costs, it is wrong that the Mayor is not helping them in these tough economic times.

"By slashing waste, perks and unnecessary expenditure our proposals enable services to be protected whilst giving many Londoners a much needed tenner back in their pockets."

Caroline Pidgeon, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group said:

"Our transport proposals would make cycling and walking safer, drive forward a big switch to electric buses and help support the growth of river transport.

"Most importantly our fare proposals provide a real helping hand to London's lowest paid workers who struggle so much with the high cost of travel brought in by this Mayor."

ENDS