Scrutiny needed for London’s New Years Eve fireworks display

London’s New Years Eve fireworks display would benefit from scrutiny, following issues with fake tickets and increased costs for the 2023 event.

That is the view of the London Assembly that has today called on the fireworks display to be added to the London Assembly Oversight Committee in the next Assembly term.

The Assembly notes the size and importance of the event, and believes scrutinising the event would benefit the event in future years.

This follows on from a 33% increase in ticket prices in 2023, and various issues with fake tickets leading to long queues on the night.

Emma Best AM, who proposed the motion, said:

“The 2023 New Years Eve fireworks turned out to be a disappointment for many Londoners.

“As the Mayor has admitted, his team failed to prepare for and control fake tickets which led to long queues and in some cases non-admittance for genuine ticket holders.

“Assembly members have today called for the Assembly’s Oversight Committee to review planning for this event in future years.

“We believe major decisions around pricing, planning and general budgeting for this global event would benefit from committee scrutiny.”

The full text of the motion is:

This Assembly notes that London’s NYE Fireworks are one of the biggest events in the world and a legacy of London’s culture.

This Assembly further notes that, for this year’s event, ticket prices surged by 33% and many people’s evenings ended in disappointment as the Mayor admitted a failure to prepare for and control fake tickets led to long queues and in some cases non-admittance for genuine ticket holders.

This Assembly recognises that major decisions around pricing, planning and general budgeting for this global event would benefit from scrutiny from the London Assembly. This Assembly therefore recommends that it becomes an annual item for consideration of the Oversight committee in the Assembly’s next term.