Sadiq Khan pledges to “make London a byword for opportunity” as he signs in for historic third term as Mayor of London

• The Mayor says securing a third term “is not about making political history, but shaping London’s future” as he outlines his commitment to improving the lives of the next generation of Londoners
• Sadiq promises to build the fairer, safer and greener London that all of London’s communities deserve
• Sadiq will say that, over the next four years, he will provide the vital helping hand young Londoners need to move forwards and achieve their aspirations – “ensuring London becomes a byword for opportunity again”.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will start his historic and unprecedented third term as the capital’s Mayor today, pledging to make London the best city in the world to grow up in.

Speaking at his Declaration of Office, the Mayor will outline his commitment to improving the lives of young Londoners – from birth all the way to buying a house and getting a job. He will say that, above all else, his work is about “giving the next generation a chance” and ensuring Londoners can reach their potential.

On winning a third term and what this means about London, Sadiq will say: 

“Londoners said no to division, no to hate and yes once again to diversity, unity and hope. London is now a beacon – not just for climate action, but for openness, inclusion and equality across the world. Indeed, the reason London shines so bright today is because our story is one written by people of all faiths, all nationalities and all backgrounds.

“People who may be able to trace their roots and family history elsewhere, to different corners of the globe. But who have in common their shared identity and experiences as Londoners.  London is special - a city of progress, pluralism and endless possibility.”

On the challenges facing Londoners and his pledge to put young people at the heart of his plans for a third term, he will say:

“While we’ve made great strides over the last eight years in cleaning up our air, building the low-cost housing Londoners need and making public transport more affordable I’m acutely aware that these are challenging times and that there’s more to do in every direction.

“The cost-of-living crisis means Londoners are being priced out of our city. Some are struggling desperately to make ends meet and others can’t afford childcare or are delaying starting a family.

“It’s against this difficult backdrop that the odds today are increasingly stacked against a bus driver’s son, or a nurse’s daughter. But I’m not prepared to simply throw in the towel and give up on the prospects of young Londoners. 

“That’s why my third term will be about pulling out all the stops to give them the best possible chance of success here in our city.  From setting up baby banks to aid our children’s development at the dawn of their lives, to making free school meals permanent for all our primary school pupils.  From working with London’s major employers to create high-quality jobs and apprenticeships, to standing up for renters’ rights and building more social and affordable housing so young families can put down roots. And from investing to support youth clubs and positive opportunities for young Londoners, to keeping the daily commute more affordable and delivering free skills training to those who are unemployed or in low-paid work.

“Securing a third term is not about making political history, but shaping London’s future.”

On ensuring “London becomes a byword for opportunity again”, he will say: 

“Over the next four years, City Hall will provide that vital helping hand young Londoners need to move forwards and achieve their aspirations.  We will do our utmost to ensure London becomes a byword for opportunity again. A place where the barriers of class, race and gender are finally broken down forever. And where ladders of advancement are extended upwards, for all.

“I’m pledging to help make London the best city in the world to grow up in, working directly with young people to help develop new and innovative policies to support them from birth, to feeling safe, securing a job and finding an affordable home.  We need to give the next generation a chance. So we’ll harness the energy, imagination and insights of young Londoners to design positive programmes that work for them.

“I’ll never compromise on the idea that everyone should be given a fair shot at fulfilling their potential. I will build on all the promises in my manifesto – including more funding for youth clubs, better mental health support and investment in high-quality mentoring – to ensure we’re truly giving our young people the best start in life.”

On continuing to be at the forefront of climate action, he will say: 

“I’m also passionate that London maintains its position at the forefront of climate action and environmental stewardship, globally.

“We’ve already made significant progress cleaning up our air, with the introduction of the world’s largest clean air zone. And now we’ll go even further - putting air pollution filters in primary schools, protecting and enhancing our green spaces and delivering a 100 per cent zero emission bus fleet by 2030. We’ll also continue planting more trees and clean up our rivers – including the Thames – in the same way we’ve cleaned up our air.”

 The Mayor pledged to Londoners that he will build a fairer, safer and greener city for every Londoner. The key priorities that he has set out for his third term are:

1. Make free school meals permanent in London’s state primary schools.
2. Keep TfL fares frozen until at least 2025.
3. Never introduce a pay-per-mile road charging scheme in London.
4. End rough sleeping by 2030 with support from the Government.
5. Build 40,000 new council homes by 2030 and build new “rent control” homes.
6. Put 1,300 more police on the streets, and fund more youth clubs with £30 million investment.
7. Provide record investment to tackle violence against women and girls, and deliver free legal support for victims.
8. Continue world-leading climate action with a fully zero-emission bus fleet by 2030.
9. Clean up the Thames, with a plan to make it swimmable within 10 years.
10. Provide free skills training for any unemployed or low-income Londoner, and create 150,000+ new good jobs by 2028.

 ENDS