December 18 MQT answers
Question No: 2018/5314
Andrew Dismore
Some residents have reported seeing the 384 bus operating on the proposed new route, despite the consultation findings not being published yet – is this true and if so why?
Answer for 384 bus route consultation
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Former Section House at Paddington Green
Question No: 2018/5315
Andrew Dismore
Is the former section house at Paddington Green still owned by the Metropolitan Police Service, Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime or the Greater London Authority; if so by whom, and what are future plans for it if not when was it disposed of?
Former Section House at Paddington Green
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
The section house is still owned by MOPAC. It forms part of the wider Paddington Green Police Station site which was approved for disposal in March 2018. MOPAC is reviewing its options for the disposal of the site including a possible sale to the adjoining land owner. These discussions are commercially confidential.
Question No: 2018/5316
Andrew Dismore
My understanding is that the earliest driver training could start for this line is in mid-January. Due to further faults causing several pauses in testing, mileage accumulation has only just started again on new trains and it will be probably be the new year before the first units could be delivered to Transport for London (TfL) for operation, as per the contract to Arriva Rail London.
As the best agreement TfL could strike with West Midlands Trains is the phased return of the six remaining diesel trains between January and March, there will still be a gap before the electric trains can take over the Gospel oak to Barking Line service, requiring bus substitution. At the moment, it seems that the earliest the electric trains could take over the service is mid March. Is this correct, and if so is it an acceptable outcome to you?
Answer for Gospel Oak to Barking Line
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5317
Andrew Dismore
What is the current disability employment gap for London?
Disability employment gap (1)
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Data on employment gaps by various characteristics have been published on a microsite on the London Datastore as part of my measures of economic fairness. These measures cover many different aspects of fairness and are grouped around 3 main themes:
- A labour market that works for everyone
- Equal opportunities
- Raising living standards
These measures will help to shape our work to foster a fairer and more inclusive capital – and help to hold to account those whose actions drive economic outcomes in London.
https://data.london.gov.uk/economic-fairness/
The specific headline measure around disability employment gaps shows the latest figure (2017) is an employment gap of 27 percentage points in London. This is further broken down by gender. For more information, see https://data.london.gov.uk/economic-fairness/labour-market/employment-gaps/
Question No: 2018/5318
Andrew Dismore
Can you provide the figures for the disability employment gap each year since 2010 for London?
Disability employment gap (2)
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Time series data on employment gaps have been published on a microsite on the London Datastore as part of my measures of economic fairness.
These measures will help to shape our work to foster a fairer and more inclusive capital – and help to hold to account those whose actions drive economic outcomes in London.
https://data.london.gov.uk/economic-fairness/
The time series data for the disability employment gap are published back to 2004 on this site at the link below. However, due to changes in definitions from the Disability Discrimination Act to the Equalities Act, there is a discontinuity and no data are available for 2013. For more information, see https://data.london.gov.uk/economic-fairness/labour-market/employment-gaps/
Question No: 2018/5319
Andrew Dismore
Can you provide the current disability employment gap by London borough, if possible?
Disability employment gap (3)
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Data on employment gaps have been published on a microsite on the London Datastore as part of my measures of economic fairness.
These measures will help to shape our work to foster a fairer and more inclusive capital – and help to hold to account those whose actions drive economic outcomes in London.
https://data.london.gov.uk/economic-fairness/
A breakdown of this measure is available by borough and can be found at the link below. https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/employment-gaps
Question No: 2018/5320
Andrew Dismore
What are the reasons for London’s disability employment gap?
Disability employment gap (4)
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Disabled Londoners face multiple barriers to participating in the labour market such as a lack of flexible working opportunities, inaccessible recruitment practices, and a lack of information for employers, for example on programmes such as Access to Work. This can clearly be seen in the unemployment rate for disabled Londoners being 8.8 per cent, almost twice the rate of that for non-disabled Londoners (4.6 per cent).
Any compassionate welfare system must also recognise that for some disabled people, their impairment or long-term health condition means that employment will not be a realistic short-term goal – a factor that also contributes to the disability employment gap.
Question No: 2018/5321
Andrew Dismore
What role has Government changes to welfare policies, particularly affecting those with disabilities, had on London?
Disability employment gap (5)
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
The Government’s austerity policy has been characterised by the tightening of eligibility criteria and cuts to disability benefits which have led to disabled people being amongst the very hardest hit.
The findings of GLA-commissioned research to understand the cumulative impact of welfare reform on different groups of Londoners are due shortly. They will be used to inform policy interventions and advocacy on behalf of Deaf and disabled Londoners.
Whilst I was encouraged to see the Government’s changes to some transitional protections and exemptions in Universal Credit for disabled claimants; the Government must go further to address the disproportionate effect of policies like the benefit freeze and the benefit cap on disabled people. I have written to Amber Rudd to share my concerns about welfare reform increasing poverty.
Question No: 2018/5322
Andrew Dismore
What more do you think the Government could do to reduce London’s disability employment gap?
Disability employment gap (6)
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
The disability employment gap is too high at 27 percentage points. The Government needs to act. The benefit system needs to be more responsive, with job centres adequately resourced to provide quality services to disabled people looking for work. Cuts to specialist contracted employment support should be reversed as currently fewer disabled people will have access to Work and Health Programme investment. The Government should consider how the newly announced intensive personalised support package will complement the Work and Health Programme.
Employers require more support to provide accessible and flexible employment. A better understanding of disabled people’s experiences of application, assessment, selection, employment and progression in work could inform solutions which are flexible, realistic and local. My Good Work Standard, which is due to be launched in the new year, will aim to help employers achieve this.
Question No: 2018/5323
Andrew Dismore
Will London still have access to the European Investment Bank after the UK leaves the EU? If not, what programmes will suffer from lack of funding as a result?
European Investment Bank
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
London will not have access to EIB (European Investment Bank) loans. The Government has failed to negotiate such access.
The EIB have provided billions of pounds for diverse significant infrastructure projects in London over the last 10 years, such as Crossrail, the Northern Line Extension, the Thames Tideway Tunnel, power distribution networks, social housing and universities. In particular, EIB loans currently comprise 30 per cent of TfL’s direct borrowing £3.3billion.
The Government should therefore, as a matter of urgency both (i) ensure that the UK continues to be able to benefit from EIB investment, and (ii) provide alternative sources of financing.
Question No: 2018/5324
Andrew Dismore
What impact would the £30,000 minimum salary cap to foreign workers have on London’s businesses?
Answer for Salary cap on foreign workers
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5325
Andrew Dismore
What did you do to promote Small Business Saturday?
Answer for Small Business Saturday
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5326
Andrew Dismore
Can you update me on progress and the timetable for Mill Hill East tube station step free access?
Mill Hill East tube station
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Transport for London (TfL) remains fully committed to improving step-free access for customers across the TfL network.
A planning application was submitted to the London Borough of Barnet on 26 September 2018. Detailed design work is currently being progressed and the main construction works are due to commence in Spring 2019 with completion by early 2020.
dockless bike hire operator Mobike
Question No: 2018/5327
Andrew Dismore
The dockless bike hire operator Mobike has refused to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Camden Council to develop a managed partnership and have been operating with impunity in places where they are not welcome, such as Bedford Square. CoMoUK which is the accreditation organisation for dockless bike hire operators in the UK, and set the standards for operation has been unable to assist Camden and other boroughs have been working with Transport for London to develop a new byelaw so that licensing can be brought in London-wide. What progress is being made with this?
dockless bike hire operator Mobike
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Transport for London’s (TfL’s) ‘Dockless bike share code of practice for operators in London’ sets clear expectations for engagement between operators and highway authorities and it is disappointing that Mobike is not complying with these requirements. The code of practice also sets out available enforcement powers for highway authorities to remove bikes.
TfL and London Councils are developing proposals for a pan-London regulatory framework for dockless bike operations, underpinned by a new bye-law. With the agreement of London Boroughs, we will consult on these proposals 2019.
West Hampstead and Kilburn Stations
Question No: 2018/5328
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2018/3253:
Toilets at West Hampstead & Kilburn Jubilee Line stations now seem to be permanently closed. Do you agree that public toilets are important especially for older people when travelling? The lack of these facilities can lead to a growth in social isolation, as people are less likely to go out if there are not public toilets available. As London is taking steps to become an Age Friendly City, closing toilets at stations is a retrograde step. What is the reason the toilets are closed, and will you reopen them?
Your response being:
There are occasions when Transport for London (TfL) has to lock customer toilets at its stations to ensure the safety of customers. Reported incidents at West Hampstead and Kilburn stations of drugs paraphernalia being found in the public toilets, and of vandalism, has led to the decision by local management at the stations to close the toilets. Closing the toilets following these incidents was the correct thing to do to ensure the safety and security of customers and staff.
TfL is aware that there are customers who find the closure of the toilets an inconvenience. Customers wishing to use the toilet should speak to station staff who will allow customers to use the facility under their authority.
TfL is reviewing its toilet policy to determine how best to provide a consistent service across all customer toilets, including consistency in availability and opening times.
Following your advice above, a resident has successfully asked for access to the toilets and found them well maintained, but the notice on the doors makes no reference to the toilets being opened by staff on request, but indicates only that they are closed. Can the notices be changed to indicate that the toilets can be accessed through approaching station staff?
West Hampstead and Kilburn Stations
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
I have asked Transport for London to ensure that signage regarding the toilet arrangements is updated to advise customers to approach station staff when the station facilities are locked.
Question No: 2018/5329
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2018/3238, your response being:
At Mornington Crescent, Transport for London (TfL) completed the installation of further resilient track fastenings – and rail joint removal – in October 2018. The resilient track fastenings have significantly reduced noise levels
And Question No: 2018/3244 your response being:
Transport for London (TfL) has been installing resilient track fastenings for over two years, and has not observed increasing noise levels. TfL continues to monitor noise levels and has no evidence of the fastenings degrading.
Residents inform me that these replies are untrue. TfL had to undertake the October remediation mentioned because the noise levels had increased significantly again after the original installation of resilient track fastenings and a further round of complaints were raised. So TfL know they have observed increasing noise levels and even the latest recent round of remediation in October has also failed to reduce the noise as the levels have gone up again as evidenced in the latest sound report. Will you correct the record and update on what further action is being taken?
Answer for Tube noise
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5330
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2018/3255
‘Residents report that Transport for London have bought and delivered to the Potters Bar garage new signs for the 384 bus route, even though the consultation on changing the route had not yet been completed. Is this true, and what was the reason? Is this not a pre-judging of the consultation, which would leave Transport for London open to a judicial review?’
Your response being:
I can confirm that no decision has been taken on whether to proceed with proposals for the 384. The consultation closed on 9 November and Transport for London (TfL) is now carefully considering the feedback received. A decision will be made in due course.
Standalone orders for bus destination blinds are very costly, so the bus operator for the 384, Metroline, decided to order signs for the proposed new route as part of a larger order to keep costs low. Metroline is now equipped to deal with either destination, irrespective of what decision TfL makes following the consultation.
Assuming that answer to be correct, how can you explain the fact that the new destination boards have already been installed on buses, before the end of the consultation period?
Answer for 384 bus
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5331
Andrew Dismore
It has been brought to my attention that a wheelchair-bound visitor from the United States was seeking to cross the river using the Jubilee footbridge from Embankment to the South Bank. The lift on the north side was operational, but when they crossed the bridge, they found that the lift for the south side was out of service, and had to cross the bridge again, go to Westminster and cross there.
It would have been sensible for the lift on the north side to have had a sign warning travellers that the lift on the other side was inoperable. Will you write to relevant parties to ensure that this measure is taken as standard with such closures, to prevent time wasting and unnecessary journeys?
bridge lifts
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Ensuring that everyone has access to all that London has to offer is one of my top priorities. This includes making more of the Tube network step-free and running initiatives such as the ‘please offer me a seat’ campaign to make public transport easier for people less able to stand.
My Transport Strategy sets out my proposed timetable for delivering accessibility improvements to tube, rail and bus services in London. These improvements will enable disabled and older people to more easily travel spontaneously and independently across the Capital.
I agree that we need to do all we can to signpost people to transport options that they can use. While Transport for London does not manage the stairs, lifts and footbridge at this location, it will contact local partners including Network Rail, the London Borough of Lambeth and London Borough of Westminster to try to ensure that a similar situation is avoided in the future.
Fire safety audits since Grenfell
Question No: 2018/5332
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2018/3272
London Fire Brigade has said they have conducted more than 1100 fire safety audits to buildings with flammable cladding since June 2017. Other than flammable cladding, what fire safety issues have been identified by these audits?
Your response being:
The audits carried out by London Fire Brigade have included an audit of the general fire precautions. This includes a review of the fire risk assessment, training records, maintenance records and a physical sampling of those areas to which the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 applies. The most common issues arising have been in relation to breaches of compartmentation, defects relating to fire doors and no or lack of a sufficient and suitable fire risk assessment. Where such issues have been found the responsible person for the premises has been informed. In more serious cases, an enforcement notice has been issued including a schedule for remediation.
How many audits have been carried out since Grenfell; and how many enforcement notices have been issued?
Answer for Fire safety audits since Grenfell
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5333
Andrew Dismore
The Government’s update to fire safety regulations to give councils the powers to remove ACM cladding from privately owned high-rises and recharge the cost is welcome; how many tower blocks in London are affected?
Answer for fire safety regulations
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5334
Andrew Dismore
In relation to the London Fire Brigade six surplus sites, the former fire station and headquarters at 8 Albert Embankment, the former Southwark Training Centre and fire station, the former fire stations at Clerkenwell, Mitcham and Bounds Green, and the basement and part ground floor of 206 Brompton Road) how much has been spent on a) maintenance and b) security for each of those premises so far; what is the ongoing monthly cost; and in each case what is the present timetable for disposal?
Answer for LFB estates strategy
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5335
Andrew Dismore
Further to Question No: 2018/3277:
What was the cost to the Met Police of President Trump’s recent visit? Have the Government funded this cost, or will they in the future? Have you had any such discussion with the Home Office?
Your response being:
A special grant claim for the costs of policing President Trump’s visit has been lodged with the Home Office. The gross cost is £3.2m including opportunity costs of £1.8m. We await the Home Office decision as to funding.
Have the Home Office responded yet; if so with what result; and if not, when do you expect to hear from them?
Answer for Trump visit
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5336
Andrew Dismore
A shocking video shows more than 20 rockets flying at a police van as it travels through the Lisson Grove Estate in an attack on Guy Fawkes Night, with some ricocheting off blocks of flats and parked cars. the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association has warned members to avoid accepting fares to the area near Marylebone station in light of attacks on them. What is being done about this?
Answer for Firework attack on Police van
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5337
Andrew Dismore
The Met have adopted successful new tactics in the fight against moped enabled crime, including tactical contact’ in which the perpetrator is knocked off the moped by a car driven by a highly trained driver. Do you support these new tactics?
Answer for moped enabled crime
The Mayor
Last updated: 27 December, 2018
Officers are drafting a response
Question No: 2018/5338
Andrew Dismore
As you will be aware, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has been investigating the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) use of the ‘Gangs Matrix’. The ICO found that, whilst there was a valid purpose for the database, the inconsistent way it was being used did not comply with data protection rules. An Enforcement Notice has been issued to the MPS. What is your view of this issue and what needs to be done?
