Cost of Living Working Group

With the cost-of-living crisis hitting the pockets of people across the country, what are the biggest challenges facing Londoners, and what are the Mayor and the Government doing to help?

The London Assembly Cost of Living Working Group is examining the biggest issues facing Londoners as costs rise, hearing directly from Londoners and policy makers about the impact this is having on the capital.

The Cost of Living Working Group is made up of four London Assembly Members – one from each political group represented on the Assembly. It was formed in 2022 when concerns were being raised nationally about the rising costs of energy, food prices and housing.

Activities by the Cost of Living Working Group include:

• Reviewing and refreshing how we measure the cost of living and poverty today;
• Hearing directly from Londoners, civic society, and GLA policymakers about the reality and extent of poverty in 2023/24; 
• Building an understanding of the policy steps already taken by the Mayor, London Boroughs, and the Government; and
• Drawing on national and international comparators to understand and articulate London’s distinct challenges. 

The Working Group has been out on visits across London to see what support Londoners are receiving to help alleviate the pressures of the rising cost of living. This includes to a food bank, debt advice centre and a primary school, to see the impact of the Universal Free School Meals programme.

For more information on the Cost of Living Working Group, read its terms of reference.