Economic recovery must be inclusive, say City Hall Greens
City Hall Greens propose a landmark amendment to Mayor's budget which focuses on creating an inclusive economic recovery, aiming to provide support and programmes that will reduce inequalities and improve long-term outcomes. [1]
This includes free public transport for key workers, drug harm reduction, and funds for community renewal to help Londoners cope with cost of living pressures. The crucial measures were voted down by Labour Assembly members while Conservative members abstained. [2]
Proposals are low-cost interventions using existing reserves to direct money towards drug harm reduction, resident empowerment and community renewal, which offer significant social and economic benefits in the long term. The amendment covers:
- Support for nurses and lower-paid Londoners with travel costs: free travel for nurses and lower-paid staff and contractors within the GLA Group for three years.
- A targeted safety net against homelessness: support to prevent and reduce homelessness for specific groups.
- New funds to bring dead spaces back to life: providing funds for communities to open up and revitalise unused council spaces in their neighbourhoods.
- A new drug diversion pilot scheme: a 12-month, London-wide drugs diversion pilot to minimise the harms caused by drug use.
- A Resident Empowerment Reserve Fund: funding grants for representative residents and renters’ rights groups.
The proposals will be funded using a total of £54 million from a combination of Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) Reserve and Business Rates Reserve (BRR). For more details about the amendment, please see below.