Speed limiter breakthrough 11 May 2009 by sianberry Jenny Jones has welcomed the announcement that the Transport for London trial of Intelligent Speed Adaptation in a bus and black cab is going ahead. Plans for the trial were originally agreed in January 2008 in a letter outlining budget proposals from previous London Mayor, Ken Livingstone to Jenny Jones, which included this commitment: Conduct […] Read more »
EU Parliament takes modest steps towards better asylum policy 7 May 2009 by sianberry Today the European Parliament adopted four legislative reports on asylum relating to the reception of asylum seekers, the Dublin regulation (determining which Member State is responsible for an asylum application), the EURODAC database and the creation of a European Asylum Support Office (EASO) to support EU-wide cooperation on asylum matters. (1) UK Green MEP Jean […] Read more »
Travel report shows London is world leader on traffic reduction 7 May 2009 by sianberry Transport for London’s annual Travel Report shows that the proportion of journeys made by private motorized transport has fallen from 44% to 38%, as a growing number of people go by tube, bus and bike. Car ownership in London has risen more slowly than the growing population, with 40% of households still not owning a […] Read more »
EU Parliament recognises importance of active inclusion in society as recession bites 6 May 2009 by sianberry London Green MEP Jean Lambert, author of a report on "active inclusion in society", commented on its adoption by the European Parliament plenary today: "The effects of an economic recession go far beyond unemployment and exclusion from the labour market. This is about people at the risk of falling into poverty, about those at risk […] Read more »
Interview with Darren Johnson, Chair of London Assembly 6 May 2009 by sianberry Originally published at www.mayorwatch.co.uk Ahead of the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the London Assembly, MayorWatch spoke to Darren Johnson about the Assembly’s relevance to Londoners, it’s role in shaping Mayoral policies, and holding the Mayor to account. Darren Johnson is one of the UK’s most successful and recognisable Green politicians, one of the original […] Read more »
EU Parliament votes to end seal trade, but fails to protect animals used in experiments 5 May 2009 by sianberry The European Parliament has today voted on two critical pieces on legislation on animals. An overwhelming majority of Euro-MPs voted in favour of a ban on the commercial trade of seal products in the EU (1). London’s Green Party MEP, Jean Lambert, who voted in favour said: "This vote is a victory for the global […] Read more »
Jenny Jones’ new post on the London Assembly 5 May 2009 by sianberry Jenny Jones AM will take the Chair of the Planning and Housing Committee. This year, the Committee will respond to the consultation for the Mayor’s new London Plan, monitor the implementation of his Housing Strategy, as well as investigate urban agriculture and support for local shopping centres. Jenny’s biography is available at: http://www.london.gov.uk/assembly/members/jonesj/biog.jsp Jenny […] Read more »
London Assembly elects Green as new Chair 5 May 2009 by sianberry The London Assembly has today elected Darren Johnson AM as its new Chair for 2009/10, with Jennette Arnold AM taking over the role of Deputy Chair. At their annual meeting Assembly Members also re-established a number of committees to examine the Mayor of London’s policies and investigate issues of importance to London. Chair of the […] Read more »
Low carbon zones are right approach 1 May 2009 by sianberry Cautiously welcoming the Mayor’s announcement of £3m to develop 10 flagship Low Carbon Zones, Darren Johnson said that a holistic, area based approach is the right one, but that much more investment and ambition is needed. "Given that it takes an estimate £11,000 for a home to achieve the 80% cut in emissions needed, it […] Read more »
London’s air pollution has severe and costly impact 1 May 2009 by sianberry Air pollution in the capital may have contributed to the deaths of an estimated 3,000 people in one year (1), but bold action from the Mayor could dramatically improve the air we breathe, a London Assembly report today reveals. The Assembly Environment Committee report says London’s air quality – amongst the worst in the UK […] Read more »