Jenny Jones today challenged the London Mayor for re-announcing
existing funding and repackaging previous measures in his Economic
Recovery Action Plan.
The Plan announces £33 million of new money for
business support but £23 million of this was already announced a week
ago. Similarly, the Plan claims "the £130 million Targeted Funding
Stream" will be used to "help vulnerable householders improve the
energy efficiency of their homes" – but much of this funding stream has
already been committed for other programmes.
Jenny Jones commented:
"The Mayor seriously underestimates the scale of the economic crisis
facing London. At a time when there is urgent need of concerted action
to protect jobs and increase affordability, the Mayor’s plan rehashes
existing policies and re-announces current funding.
"The proposals will do nothing to make ordinary Londoners better off.
"Concerted action from the GLA could create thousands of much-needed
jobs in low carbon industries – from home insulation fitters to
designers and high-tech factory workers. Yet the Mayor’s plans in this
area remain weak, vague and underfunded. Instead of economic recovery,
this is a plan for a missed opportunity."