Liberal Democrats object to the Mayor's increase in bus fares and plans to reduce policing in London.

1.09.00am GMT Fri 29th Jan 2010

Cllr Tim O'Flaherty speaks out for London bus users

Yesterday the London Assembly debated the Mayor of London's draft budget for 2010/11. Due to the Mayor hiking up fares well above the rate of inflation - including Oyster Pay As You Go bus fares by a staggering 20% - most Londoners will be paying a far greater bill under Boris Johnson's mayoralty.The Mayor's proposals will also lead to a net reduction in police officers by 2012 of 455 police officers, and possibly even more.

Boris Johnson proposes a freeze in the GLA's share of the Council Tax precept. The Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly proposed a 2.6% CUT in the Mayor's budget.This year the Mayor is proposing to cut the Metropolitan Police's budget by £16.4 million and to cut devolved budgets given to the Borough Commanders by 5%.

The Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group proposed a detailed and fully costed amendment.

We proposed:

• Restoring Boris Johnson's £16.4 million cut in Council Tax funding for the police.

• Redirecting police spending by cutting out waste and perks, so allowing extra spending on the key priorities of tackling and knife and gun crime as well as child trafficking.

• Supporting funding to give the go ahead to our plans for One Hour Bus ticket.

• Funding a feasibility study to introduce one or more inner 'clear air' zones to help tackle the scandal of 3000 plus deaths per year in London because of poor air quality

• Preventing the Mayor from building up excessive reserves for an election year.

Our proposals would have allowed the GLA precept to be cut by 2.6% this year, saving 58 pence per week for a Band D Council Taxpayer.

Commenting on the Liberal Democrat proposals, Leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the assembly, Mike Tuffrey said:

"Our budget proposals have a golden thread of fairness running through them. We are totally committed to enhancing public services in the capital and especially maintaining police numbers across the number - this is absolutely critical. However at a time when most boroughs are holding their costs and charges we believe it is also time to offer a fair deal for tax and fare payers. Certainly Londoners are not getting that under Boris Johnson!"

Councillor Tim O'Flaherty from Tower Hamlets said "I am pleased to see my Libdem colleagues in the Assembly fighting hard against the Mayor's draft budget. In Tower Hamlets many people rely on the buses, and the Mayor's recent increases are already hurting low paid workers."