Mayor rewarded for four years of financial prudence 

Hard- pressed Londoners will benefit from almost a £30 million windfall, as the Mayor Boris Johnson outlined plans to freeze his share of the council tax (GLA precept) for the fourth consecutive year. This takes to £120.5m the total sum awarded by Government in recognition of the continued financial prudence achieved over this Mayoral term, which has seen the Mayor secure the delivery of savings of nearly £2 billion. The £27.7 million is in addition to the estimated £92.8 million that the Mayor was awarded for freezing the GLA precept last year.The Mayor today published his draft 2012 budget for consultation, which will protect Londoners from tax increases, whilst maintaining public services and investing in the future. The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: ‘ At a time when we are all feeling the squeeze and as the guardian of this great city, I must do all I can to protect Londoners from too heavy a tax burden, but maintain vital investment in infrastructure and front line services.‘When elected, I promised to put an end to the outrageous increases in GLA’s share of the council tax, and I am pleased that we are now all reaping the benefits of having strong financial controls in place.’Funding has been ploughed into delivering the Mayor's key priorities, which include:- Securing a sustained increase in participation in sport and physical activity amongst Londoners Delivering the Mayor's target of 50,000 affordable homes by the end of 2012 Helping to boost London's economy through the Rebuilding London Fund Increasing the opportunities for young people, including delivering 100,000 apprenticeships by the end of 2012.After eight years of continued increases in the GLA precept under the previous Mayor totalling 152 per cent, Boris Johnson has overseen an unprecedented four year freeze, saving Londoners 12 per cent in real terms reduction in their council tax since May 2008.The budget will allow for significant investment to be made to help regenerate London, in particular those affected by the disturbances in August, and will also protect the capital’s police numbers - at the end of this Mayoral term there will be around 1,000 more officers than at the beginning. It will also ensure that Crossrail and the Tube upgrades will be delivered and fares will be held down as much as is possible, whilst maintaining neo-Victorian levels of investment in transport infrastructure- helping the city to emerge from the current economic difficulties more competitive than ever.Ends Notes to Editors 1. The Mayor has been awarded an estimated £120.5 million for financial prudence. This includes a one of payment of £27.7 million for 2012/13 and £22.4 million per annum from 2011/12 to 2014/15.2. The Mayor’s 2012/13 draft budget requirement is £3,216.5 million. Under the proposal the total GLA precept will remain at £309.82 a year (Band D household).3 . The Mayor’s proposed council tax precept draft budget comprises of £236 to support the Metropolitan Police service, £42.26 for the London Fire Brigade, £20 for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and £11.56 for transport and other services. 4 . The Mayor’s draft budget consists of - Metropolitan Police Authority, Transport for London, London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, the Olympic Park Legacy Company and core Greater London Authority. The total revenue budget expenditure is £14.4 billion. 5 . The consultation document, which outlines the Mayor’s proposals, will be sent to all 32 London Borough Councils, the Corporation of London and key stakeholders in the business and voluntary sectors representing London’s wide range of interests. 6 . The document is available on the Greater London Authority website, www.london.gov.uk, enabling members of the public to make their comments. The direct link to the budget homepage is /who-runs-london/greater-london-authority/budget-and-strategic-plan.The consultation period ends on 13 January 2012.MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Information for the media is available from Rebecca Miller in the Mayor’s Press Office on 020 7983 4754 / [email protected] (contact details for media only – not for publication)GENERAL PUBLIC/NON-MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Call the Public Liaison Unit at the Greater London Authority on 020 7983 4100DUTY PRESS OFFICER: For out-of-hours media enquiries, please call 020 7983 4000Rebecca MillerSenior Press OfficerMayor's Press OfficeTel: 020 7983 4754Mob: 07810 756 170Twitter:@pr_bexwww.london.gov.ukGREATERLONDONAUTHORITYCity Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AAFollow the Mayor on:Twitter – http://twitter.com/mayoroflondonYoutube - http://www.youtube.com/MayorsOfficeLondon Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/borisjohnson