After questioning from Caroline Pidgeon about the use of police force against Black Londoners, the Mayor has released figures showing that in January and February of this year Black Londoners accounted for 33% of incidents where force was used, compared to 32% in the same period of 2019.
Caroline said:
"This is a worrying and unacceptable trend, especially given Black Londoners make up 12% of the population.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the news of further delays to the opening of Crossrail, said:
“Covid might partly explain these latest delays, but they are only part of the picture as even Crossrail admits.
“The consequences of Crossrail opening two and half years late are immense. The project has soared in cost and every day it is not open valuable fare income is being lost to TfL and this vital new railway is not open to Londoners.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the news that most train fares will rise by 1.6% from 2 January 2021, but TfL fares will rise by 2.6% due to Government set conditions on TfL said:
“This exceptionally high fare rise for TfL passengers makes it clear that Londoners continue to pay the price for the political games being played by the Mayor and the Government.
During July, Caroline Pidgeon has put several questions to the Mayor about the concerningly low levels of diversity in both the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Caroline Pidgeon AM, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the announcement of the further delayed opening of Crossrail said:
“We should never forget that the central section of Crossrail was promised to open in December 2018. It is now clear that we’ll be lucky if it opens by the end of 2021.
“This further delay is terrible news, for passengers and London’s businesses. The hole in TfL’s budget is also set to become even bigger.
Pressed by Caroline Pidgeon at Mayor's Question Time in July, the Mayor has admitted that the central section of Crossrail is now very unlikely to be open by summer 2021.
Caroline said:
"Clarification is vital so Londoners know when the line will finally open.
“For too long Crossrail has been plagued by unrealistic progress reports and misleading claims made to the public.
At a virtual London Assembly session, Caroline encouraged the mayor to consider creative proposals to use the transport network as efficiently as possible, especially at a time when social distancing is vital:
Caroline has written to the mayor to advocate for Sistah SPACE Against Domestic Abuse, a Hackney-based domestic violence charity focussed on supporting and helping women and girls of African heritage across London. They have been evicted from their offices, and Hackney Council has asked them to move to a wholly unsuitable premises.
Caroline has stressed to the mayor that it's essential for Sistah Space to remain in the premises they are in, or find alternative, appropriate accommodation so that they can carry on their essential work.
Caroline Pidgeon has urged the Mayor again to show the Thameslink route on the Tube map, to remind passengers of how useful it can be, as well as its excellent accessibility. Particularly important now is that the wide layout of the trains is suited to social distancing.
Caroline said: