Mayor of London calls for “urgent support” ahead of next week’s Spring Budget

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is demanding more help for those most in need in next week’s Spring Budget, as polling reveals that more than 40 per cent of Londoners are using less water, energy or fuel as a result of the cost of living crisis.

Sadiq argues that this is further evidence that next Wednesday’s Budget must be used by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, to tackle the cost of living crisis and address the issues holding Londoners back from “reaching their full potential”.

The Mayor has published a new YouGov poll commissioned by City Hall that reveals that 47 per cent of Londoners are now either ‘financially struggling’ or ‘just about managing’. 43 per cent are using less water, energy or fuel to help manage living costs. Half of those polled are currently spending less on non-essential items (50 per cent).

Last month the Mayor announced an “historic” £130m emergency scheme to provide every primary school child in London with free school meals in the next academic year and will continue to call on the Government to provide this support permanently.

Now the Mayor is calling for the Chancellor to include the following measures in his Spring Budget:

• A delay to the planned April increase in the Energy Price Guarantee and an ‘energy lifeline tariff’ to provide the most vulnerable households including disabled Londoners with a basic amount of energy before charges begin.
• Following London’s lead and extending free school meals to all primary school children in the UK.
• A substantial increase in central government support for affordable housing supply in London, and granting the Mayor power to freeze rents in the capital , like has happened in Scotland
• An increase in the local housing allowance to support Londoners on housing benefit.
• Significant support for reducing the cost of childcare.

Sadiq has also repeated his call for the Government to reinstate tax-free shopping for overseas visitors to support the return of international tourists back to London as well as boost the retail and hospitality sectors, which have both been impacted by both the pandemic and the rising cost of living. This would also raise an additional £350m for the Treasury each year.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, commented: “The cost of living crisis continues to bite and millions of Londoners are crying out for more support from the Government in the Spring Budget.

“The fact remains that the capital is home to some of the most deprived communities in the country, and it is deeply worrying that 47 per cent of Londoners are now either financially struggling or just about managing to make ends meet. The Chancellor needs to recognise the dreadful impact of the cost of living crisis next week, particularly those most in need.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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