Greens secure £150 million budget boost for green initiatives in London
24 January 2007
The London Mayor has pledged millions of pounds towards action on climate change in return for the crucial support for his annual budget from Green Group members Darren Johnson and Jenny Jones. This will be the third year in a row that Ken Livingstone has come to such an agreement. Darren and Jenny have welcomed the Mayor's adoption of his package of proposals on energy conservation, renewables and traffic reduction.
The projects agreed by the Mayor will cost around £150m in total during the coming year. These projects build on the success of Green's previous budget initiatives. The £150m includes many projects included in previous budget rounds, which have become a mainstream part of the GLAs work:
- Energy in buildings: £8m minimum.- TfL Climate Change Fund: £8.3m- Travel Demand Management: £30m.- Cycling: £38.2m- Food: £1.5m- Green Grid: £0.360m- Road safety: £53.4m- Speed awareness: £7m.- Walking - funding to boroughs: £9.2m.
Darren Johnson, said:
"The Mayor has taken on board our key demands and the result is a budget that provides a serious framework for tackling change in London. Any Assembly Member who cares about climate change would be mad not to vote for it."
Jenny Jones said:
"This budget agreement builds on London's success in reducing the proportion of journeys made by car. We want to promote cycling and walking in London as the healthier and more environmental option. We want cleaner buses and safer roads. We want London to lead the way on climate change by showing that an environmentally friendly transport system is also the most efficient transport system."ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. The Mayor's budget can be blocked if two thirds of the London Assembly vote for an alternative budget. In the last two years, the London Mayor has won the backing of the Labour group on the Assembly, along with Darren and Jenny, in order to secure the one third of Assembly members needed to pass his budget.
2. Copies of the letter from the London Mayor to Darren Johnson and Jenny Jones are available from Ian.wingrove@london.gov.uk
