Quote: Tax: The Mayor both collects and spends an unprecedented level of Londoner’s money
with the GLA precept up 147% and government grants up 41% in real terms.
Due to the increase in the precept Londoners are now paying £289 more in council tax
than other city dwellers in the UK. This is despite the GLA now receiving tax payer
grants worth £2,000 per household.
London Underground: While the population growth makes for record passenger levels
individual Londoners are starting to use the Tube less. This is caused by increased delays
(up 14%), more overcrowding (up 8%) and higher fares (up 17% on average) since Ken
took control.
London Bus network: Bus speeds have declined despite fewer vehicles being on
London’s roads. Meanwhile the subsidy for the bus network has grown to £212 per
London household, up 71% over the last five years.
Transport for London: As wages have spiralled the operating loss of Transport for
London has worsened. Losses now eat a bigger part of the annual subsidy, meaning a
30% cut in funds left for capital investment.
The growing wage bill has added £300m to TfL’s bottom line over the last five years. TfL
employs 232 people paid more than £100k per year. By contrast the Home Office had
43 people paid this much. The Treasury has just 7 such earners.
The congestion charge: The congestion charge has failed to reduce congestion. 99%
of its revenues have gone on costs so far. It has cost London £930m so far – and raised
only £10m for investment in public transport.
The Metropolitan Police: While the budget is up 81% since Ken took over, police
numbers are up only 20%. Violent crime is on the increase too, up 17% since the Mayor
took over. Meanwhile the Met compares operationally very poorly to a peer group of
similar forces.
The GLA itself. Staff numbers are up 83% since the first full year of the GLA, with the
fastest growth in the marketing department. Including TfL and the other bodies
Livingstone controls, 173 press officers now work for the Mayor. | 
