Another Boris own goal

Murad Qureshi says that despite getting plenty of feedback on his two previous drafts, the Mayor’s final strategy still will not protect Londoners from unnecessary pollution levels or prevent the UK being fined by the EU for breaching air quality standards.

Murad said: “He abandoned the six monthly inspections of taxis as soon as he became Mayor, did not introduce phase 3 of the Low Emission Zone last month and over Christmas he will get rid of the West London Congestion Zone Extension.  This final air quality strategy will not make up for the regressive steps he has already taken.  We know air quality in London has deteriorated and is London’s biggest public health issue.  The EU is all over us about it.

“It’s taken him two and a half years to realise that his first step on this front – to remove the six monthly inspection of black cabs – was not at all helpful.  Now he’s decided to reinstate some form of six monthly inspections from 2013.  The third phase of the LEZ will be implemented in Jan 2012 rather than in Oct 2010.  At this rate by 2012 we’ll be back to where we were in 2008 but by then it will be too late to avoid being hit by EU fines.

“We need a Mayor to stand up for Londoners, to identify problems and deal with them and to acknowledge that air pollution kills 20 times more than road traffic accidents, although it doesn’t get the same attention.  But as usual with Boris, all we get is charm, bluster and hot air.”

London’s poor air quality kills an estimated 4,000 people in the city each year and the EU have started legal proceedings against the UK because of it, but the Mayor of this fine city thinks it better to pretend there is no problem rather than address it.

Ends.

Notes

Murad Qureshi is a Londonwide Labour Assembly Member and is the Assembly’s Labour Group Environment spokesperson.

The Mayor’s Air Quality strategy can be found here:

http://www.london.gov.uk/publication/mayors-air-quality-strategy

Further information please contact Nikki Salih at 020 7983 4400

Londoners going back to work this week face average fare rises of almost 7 per cent.

A single bus journey cost just 90p when Boris Johnson was elected. In just over two years the price has rocketed to �1.30 – a 44 per cent rise. A monthly zone 1-5 travelcard is up �258 a year and this week a zone 1-2 travel card broke the �100 barrier for the first time – up 14 per cent. 

The rises this week come after the Mayor was criticised in 2009 for imposing the biggest fare rises in Transport for London’s (TfL) history.

Murad Qureshi said: "Yet again the Mayor is showing how out of touch he is and where his priorities lie – sticking up for bankers while imposing huge fare increases on ordinary Londoners and halving the congestion charge zone so fare payers have to pay more." 

"High quality, affordable public transport is essential if people across the city are to contribute to our economy. On top of the government’s record VAT hike, this yet another price rise that already struggling ordinary Londoners just can’t afford."

On Christmas eve the western section of the congestion charge was removed – halving the zone’s size. This will cost TfL between �50m – �70m a year – the same amount as is being raised by the hike in bus fares.

Fares headlines

A single bus journey up 44 per cent between 2008-11

Zone 1-4 travelcard up �249 a year – now �39.80 a week – between 2008-11

Zone 1-6 annual travelcard now costs over �2,016 – up 13 per cent since 2008

A single TfL rail journey in zones 1-4 up 36 per cent since 2008, now �3.40

A peak single journey in zone outside zone 1 up 27.3 per cent since 2008

A monthly zone 1-2 travelcard now over �100 for the first time rising from �93 to �106 (14 per cent) since 2008

A day off-peak zone 1-2 travelcard up to �6.60 (24.5 per cent) between 2008-11

Off-peak single journey across three zones outside zone one up by 40 per cent since 2008 – now �1.40

An annual travelcard has breached �1,000 up from �968 to �1,104 (14 per cent) since 2008

Ends

Notes

The amount raised from increasing bus fares in 2011 is almost identical to the amount that would be raised if the western extension was retained http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=33998 (cash raised through bus fares) http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=23419 (cash lost through scrapping western congestion charge zone) 

A full breakdown of all fares can be found here http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/17538.aspx

Londoners going back to work this week face average fare rises of almost 7 per cent.

A single bus journey cost just 90p when Boris Johnson was elected. In just over two years the price has rocketed to £1.30 – a 44 per cent rise. A monthly zone 1-5 travelcard is up £258 a year and this week a zone 1-2 travel card broke the £100 barrier for the first time – up 14 per cent.

The rises this week come after the Mayor was criticised in 2009 for imposing the biggest fare rises in Transport for London’s (TfL) history.

Murad Qureshi said: "Yet again the Mayor is showing how out of touch he is and where his priorities lie – sticking up for bankers while imposing huge fare increases on ordinary Londoners and halving the congestion charge zone so fare payers have to pay more."

"High quality, affordable public transport is essential if people across the city are to contribute to our economy. On top of the government’s record VAT hike, this yet another price rise that already struggling ordinary Londoners just can’t afford."

On Christmas eve the western section of the congestion charge was removed – halving the zone’s size. This will cost TfL between £50m – £70m a year – the same amount as is being raised by the hike in bus fares.

Fares headlines

<dir>

A single bus journey up 44 per cent between 2008-11

Zone 1-4 travelcard up £249 a year – now £39.80 a week – between 2008-11

Zone 1-6 annual travelcard now costs over £2,016 – up 13 per cent since 2008

A single TfL rail journey in zones 1-4 up 36 per cent since 2008, now £3.40

A peak single journey in zone outside zone 1 up 27.3 per cent since 2008

A monthly zone 1-2 travelcard now over £100 for the first time rising from £93 to £106 (14 per cent) since 2008

A day off-peak zone 1-2 travelcard up to £6.60 (24.5 per cent) between 2008-11

Off-peak single journey across three zones outside zone one up by 40 per cent since 2008 – now £1.40

An annual travelcard has breached £1,000 up from £968 to £1,104 (14 per cent) since 2008

</dir>

Ends

Notes

<dir>

The amount raised from increasing bus fares in 2011 is almost identical to the amount that would be raised if the western extension was retained http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=33998 (cash raised through bus fares) http://mqt.london.gov.uk/mqt/public/question.do?id=23419 (cash lost through scrapping western congestion charge zone)

A full breakdown of all fares can be found here http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/17538.aspx

</dir>

For further information please contact Sean Clare, Labour group press officer, on 020 7983 4952 or 07730 575 867

Hugh Muir – The Guardian -7 December 2010.   How do reports that Boris Johnson retaliated against the alleged duplicity of Fifa boss Sepp Blatter by withdrawing an offer to put him up at the Dorchester during the 2012 Olympics square with his publicly expressed position? "What did you offer Fifa President Sepp Blatter to select England for the venue for the World Cup tournament in 2018," he was asked by London assembly member Murad Quershi at City Hall last month. "There has been no offer made to the Fifa president directly," replied the mayor then, sentiments echoed again on Monday yesterday. Hope that’s true. For questions are being asked. Blatter isn’t the only one being accused of trickery.

• As Americans bayed for his blood, WikiLeaks’ Julian Assange remained elusive. But where has he been? We don’t know. Neither did the Times. Still, like good professionals, they pursued the lines of inquiry. And so it was that the Guardian’s Nick Davies, reporter and author of Flat Earth News – the instant classic on newspaper practices – found himself the target for an old-fashioned doorstep operation. The bell rang chez Davies, and on responding to it, our man, who has had extensive dealings with Assange, found a nervous young reporter and a photographer. They were pitiful figures, having battled through the snow to Sussex and having crashed their car into a wall en route. But Assange was not there; hadn’t been for several months. The pair disappeared into the night with everyone’s best wishes, but without their scoop.

• And as culture secretary Jeremy Hunt hears a few home truths from James Naughtie, his colleague, "Voldemort" Lansley, is all energy – dismantling systems, spreading misery as he will. Today’s task: getting rid of Steve Bundred, appointed only in May for a four-year term as chair of Monitor, the foundation hospitals regulator. Officially Bundred can apply for his own job but since the pay is being drastically cut, to do so would signal desperation. Some suggest Voldemort is merely clearing out the "Labour dead wood". Others that despite Cameron’s emollience, the government is proving highly partisan in whom it appoints to the remaining quangos. As for Bundred, his fate would seem sealed. Last week his job was advertised in the national press.

• Not the best day for Radio 4, as Naughtie and Marr come over all DH Lawrence. The World at One, meanwhile, interviews an imposter. He was supposed to be Mike Crockart, Lib Dem MP for Edinburgh West, discussing tuition fees. But because of an error in a directory of MPs’ phone numbers, the Beeb and the Evening Standard ended up with "Eric", a prankster working on a building site in Manchester. "At first he thought it was one of the lads having a laugh," said a colleague. "He just went with it. I don’t think he knows what a tuition fee is." Just wait until he has kids.

• Finally, where would American literature be without masturbation, asks the bestselling author Douglas Kennedy, pondering aloud to the Anglo-American Press Association in Paris. Kennedy had in mind Tea Party star Christine O’Donnell’s campaign against such practices. He’s agin it. Literature and self-discovery. They go hand in hand.

The cuts, announced in October’s Comprehensive Spending Review, spell the end for 450 school sport partnerships and have prompted a growing number of past, present and future British Olympians to sign a letter addressed to Prime Minister David Cameron.

Cameron has acknowledged the widespread disapproval and pledged a rethink although Education Secretary Michael Gove insists the government is not about to make a u-turn, even if the policy looks likely to be altered.

And today the London Assembly unanimously joined the ever-increasing number of those opposed to the cuts.

Murad Qureshi AM, who proposed today’s motion, said:  "With 2012 just around the corner, it is more important than ever that we maintain funding to schools and grassroots sports clubs to ensure a lasting legacy following the Games.

"More and more young people will be inspired to get involved in sports, but without the investment to back it up, we are in danger of missing out on a once in a life time opportunity.

"That’s why we’re calling on the Mayor and the Government to do all they can to protect funding for London’s grassroots sports facilities and recognise the incredible benefit they bring to young people and the community they live in."

Caroline Pidgeon AM, who seconded the motion, said: "The chance to take part in a range of school sports makes a real difference to young people growing up. helping them develop leadership skills, discipline and team working.

"School sports funding is about much more than all-weather pitches and gym equipment, it’s about building the skills that young people need in every aspect of their lives."

Wikileaks shed new light on the UK governments involvement with a notorious batalion call the Rapid Action Battalion(RAB) in Bangladesh, with the guardian reporting it as UK involvement in deaths squads.  Its well known for its extrajudicial killings that its been carrying out for a number of years, using the term “crossfire” to explain away the hundreds that have been gunned down in a hail of bullets.  Critics call them government death squad and draw parallels with the UK government involvement with rendition flights in recent time.

The UK government has been involved in providing training particularly in investigative interviewing techniques and rules of engagement via British policemen. The justification for the UK government appears to be as a counter-terrorism measure. But to the best of the available knowledge around it has not been established yet that a terrorist threat exist from the shores of the Bay of Bengal, in the sameway as its been clearly done with the North-West Frontier of Pakistan and parts of Yemen and Somolia where Al-Qaeda operatives have been known to exist.  This maybe about to be broken by the present investigation of 9 suspects in the UK over an alleged christmas bombing, as its been suggested all of them are Bangladeshis. We will just have to wait and see on this front while some concerns have been expressed.

It has been clear for sometime that Jihadi islamist in Bangladesh are predominately pre-occupied with turning the Peoples Republic into a Islamic state. Thus posing a real threat to the Bangladesh government including the present incumbents, the Awami League and the previous caretaking regime, rather then attacks on other states like the UK.  The authorities have yet to show definitive evidence of the latter.

In the meantime, you can be sure of legal challenges both in the Dhaka Courts and here in the UK, particularly when civilan politicans are the victims of RAB activities like Salauddin Quader Choudhury MP. His is an opposition member of the BNP who has relatives in the UK to represent them. Once again the Guardian is reporting this well.

The challenge will be for the present government in Bangladesh to close down their operations given their election pledge to end extra judicial killings, in the mist of the violent Islamist threat while dealing with war crimes and mutineers. Yet for many in the Bangladeshi public there would appear to be support for them however unsavoury their actions, something that the US ambassador, Moriarty also suggested and got picked up in the wikileaks.

At the beginning of the christmas break, soon after the arrest of 9 terrorist suspects in the UK accused of planning christmas bomb attacks in London, l was asked to comment by journalists on them apparently being of Bangladeshi descent. I informed them that l we could not tell that till we had the 9 names of the suspects at least.   
 
When the names were released the one name that stood out was Gurukanth Desai  amongst the standard south asian muslim names. Now this name is a Gurajti Hindu one and you begin to wonder whats he doing in such company? Its either an indication that the police have badly got this wrong or that he’s recently converted and has yet to change his name. I trust we can get to the bottom of this one quickly.

A welcome U turn by the Education Secretary Michael Gove on his proposed cuts to the School Sports Partnership (SSP).  I’d like to think this decision is in part a response to my motion passed by a cross party of London Assembly Members at the last plenary meeting .  However, watch this space for the impact of changes on London which has 56 SSPs covering inner city areas like Tower Hamlets as well as the suburbs like Richmond.  The number of Londoners taking part in regular sport is actually falling so lets hope this is not just hot air so that the PM can pay lip service to the issue of sports funding in his olympic speech tonight, and that London is able to retain as many of its 56 SSPs as possible.

How do reports that Boris Johnson retaliated against the alleged duplicity of Fifa boss Sepp Blatter by withdrawing an offer to put him up at the Dorchester during the 2012 Olympics square with his publicly expressed position? "What did you offer Fifa President Sepp Blatter to select England for the venue for the World Cup tournament in 2018," he was asked by London assembly member Murad Quershi at City Hall last month. "There has been no offer made to the Fifa president directly," replied the mayor then, sentiments echoed again on Monday yesterday. Hope that’s true. For questions are being asked. Blatter isn’t the only one being accused of trickery.