Mayor unveils priorities for London

11:17am Tuesday 22nd July 2008

Comments (10)   Have your say »

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has targeted youth crime and quality of life for Londoners as priorities for his first budget.

The Mayor's budget priorities were published today (July 22).

The document confirmed that resources will be directed to his immediate priorities - preventing youth crime, delivering value for money and improving the quality of life of all Londoners.

Mr Johnson said: "Tackling crime, delivering value for money and improving the quality of life in London are my administration's top priorities.

"Crime is the number one issue for Londoners.

"I will build on the early measures I have introduced such as the alcohol ban on the tube and extra 440 safer transport police officers.

"Tackling the long-term root causes of crime and violence and ensuring a visible police presence on the streets must become the priority for the entire GLA group.

He added: "Delivering greater value for money is vital and it is clear there are a series of areas where the GLA and LDA can be improved and made far more efficient.

"We have already showed through scrapping the Londoner that savings can be made.

"That's why I am proposing a 15 per cent saving in the GLA budget to ensure we are providing maximum value for London taxpayers.

He also reaffirmed a commitment to reduce CO2 by 60 per cent by 2025.

Mr Johnson said: "I have taken a series of decisions to improve the quality of life in London since I was elected in May such as scrapping the Londoner newspaper to fund 10,000 new trees and measures to improve run down parks and open spaces.

"I will continue this work to improve everyday life in the capital with better housing and protection for open spaces."

The Mayor will issue a draft budget for consultation in December and present the draft budget proposals to the London Assembly in January.

• Do you agree with Mr Johnson's priorities? Post your own priorities for London, below.