Brexit written answers Feb 19
European temporary leave to remain
Question No: 2019/3887
Andrew Dismore
What impact will the new European temporary leave to remain have on the number of EU citizens looking to reside in London?
European temporary leave to remain
The Mayor
Last updated: 28 February, 2019
I am opposed to the Government’s plan to end freedom of movement through the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination Bill. London has seen a sharp fall in levels of immigration since the EU referendum, alongside more long-term migrants leaving the capital. In a no deal, European Economic Area citizens would only be able to live and work in the UK for an interim period through an application for European Temporary Leave to Remain. 70 per cent of Londoners say they are concerned about the impact of skilled workers leaving the capital after Brexit. I have repeatedly called on the Government to prioritise jobs, growth and future prosperity over politically driven policies to reduce immigration.
Question No: 2019/3888
Andrew Dismore
Given the warnings from supermarkets about the possibility of empty shelves and lack of food in the event of a no-deal Brexit, what can you do to ensure that the most vulnerable Londoners have access to food?
Empty supermarket shelves
The Mayor
Last updated: 28 February, 2019
My London Food Strategy includes a focus on ensuring all Londoners have access to healthy food and it is vital that Londoners can access food in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
I have asked the London Resilience Forum to look at the short-term implications of a no-deal Brexit. A food sub-group chaired by Claire Pritchard, chair of my London Food Board, and including Fiona Twycross, Deputy Mayor for Fire and Resilience, is looking at potential impacts of a no-deal Brexit on the supply and distribution of food, including impacts on vulnerable people.
I have built food questions into the current Survey of Londoners, which will provide for the first time robust food insecurity measures for London, meeting one of my manifesto commitments. These measures will tell us the number and proportion of adults and children who are living in food insecurity.
Question No: 2019/3889
Andrew Dismore
Given that 30% of London’s food comes from other EU countries, how long could any potential disruption to London’s food supply last if the Government fail to secure a deal with the EU?
No deal Brexit and food
The Mayor
Last updated: 28 February, 2019
My London Food Strategy includes a focus on ensuring all Londoners have access to healthy food and it is vital that Londoners can access food in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
London’s food supply chains are amongst the most efficient in the world, often based upon just-in-time delivery. This is one reason why I have asked the London Resilience Forum (LRF) to look at the short-term implications of a no-deal Brexit.
A food sub-group of LRF is now looking at potential impacts of a no-deal Brexit on the supply and distribution of food, including impacts on vulnerable Londoners.
The retail and hospitality sectors are represented on that group and I know that they are already working hard to maintain supplies in the event of no-deal.
European funding for Greater London Authority projects
Question No: 2019/3890
Andrew Dismore
Can you provide a list of the Greater London Authority projects in receipt of EU funding since July 2014 with the amounts awarded (following on from the list provided in MQ 2889/2014)?
European funding for Greater London Authority projects
The Mayor
Last updated: 28 February, 2019
The Greater London Authority (GLA) European Programmes Management Unit is responsible for London’s 2014-20 European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and European Social Fund (ESF) programmes; and various GLA teams have also applied for funding from those programmes.
The GLA has also successfully applied for funding from ‘transnational’ programmes such as Horizon 2020; which are managed directly by the EU.
Please find attached a table of current GLA projects and the funding awarded to them. It is anticipated that an additional £140m will be awarded to the GLA Co-Financing Organisation programme later this year. This will comprise £70m ESF matched with an equivalent sum from the Adult Education Budget.
Additional ERDF funding for the RE:FIT and Better Futures projects has also been approved in principle, subject to conclusion of the ERDF appraisal process that is now underway.
Brexit Portal London Growth Hub
Question No: 2019/3891
Andrew Dismore
Businesses are rightly concerned about the impact of Brexit, especially as we are heading towards a no-deal scenario. How are you ensuring that London’s businesses are aware of the Brexit Portal on the London Growth Hub?
Brexit Portal London Growth Hub
The Mayor
Last updated: 28 February, 2019
My Brexit Business Resource Hub (www.growthhub.london/brexithub) was launched last year at my business reception. Since then my policy officers have been raising awareness of the hub through existing business networks, attendance at local business shows, local authorities and their business databases, e-newsletters and social media.
This Brexit Business Resource Hub is a great resource for SMEs looking for advice on how they can prepare for Brexit and will soon be supplemented by a series of events to further support businesses during this challenging time. This will include 75 events taking place across at least 20 boroughs where businesses will get direct advice from experts as well signposting to the Brexit Business Resource Hub, which will grow over the coming months with additional resources such as podcasts, factsheets and webinars.
Question No: 2019/3892
Andrew Dismore
How many students from London currently benefit from the Erasmus programme; and how many students from other EU countries come to the UK under the programme?
Erasmus programme
The Mayor
Last updated: 28 February, 2019
I have consistently made the case for the UK remaining in the Erasmus+ programme and I am clear that the Government needs to secure the UK’s continued participation. This is a significant programme, supporting students to spend time studying in another country. It has fostered a greater understanding between EU nationals over many decades and in challenging international times, this is more important than ever.
Data on the number of students from London benefiting from the programme is not publicly available and the GLA does not own this data. However, there were 2,909 staff and students outgoing from the UK on Erasmus+ in 2016/17 (Higher Education Mobility Statistics 2014-17). The number of students from other EU countries coming to the UK under the programme in 2016/17 was 17,565, of which 2,375 came to London. (HESA Student Record 2002/03-2016/17).
