Over 340k inner Londoners without high-speed internet
Posted by GLA Conservatives in News
London one of the worst capitals in Europe for broadband speeds – behind Paris, Bucharest and Kiev
341,592 residents* in inner London¹ are without modern high-speed internet access², according to an investigation by GLA Conservative Victoria Borwick.
These boroughs suffer from old poor quality lines leading to slow connections that in many cases are lower than half the London average.³
Survey states: 85% of disabled encounter some form of verbal, physical or financial abuse
· Over half of survey respondents unsatisfied with way police handled case
· Six in ten don’t even report incidents to police
A new report “Hidden Hate” has uncovered widespread dissatisfaction with how the criminal justice system deals with hate crime against people with disabilities. New specialist research of 131 disabled people in London carried out for the report showed that 85% of respondents encountered abuse, 59% of those failed to report the incident to authorities and over half had been unsatisfied with how the police had handled the case.
Victoria Borwick calls for greater community involvement in local policing
At today's Police and Crime Plenary, Deputy Mayor Victoria Borwick will ask the Mayor to introduce a Met Smartphone app for the ‘Met Police Beat’ which allows you to follow and communicate with your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT).
Commenting Victoria Borwick said,
“The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police says we need to improve technology to engage with Londoners. This app could prove to be a ground-breaking way to re-connect communities with their local police.
“Surrey police have a Smartphone App which allows the public to connect with their local SNTs. It makes the police far more accessible as it provides residents with local crime information. It also gives local people the opportunity to have a say over local priorities and be actively involved.
“Most SNT police are very hard-working and this App will ensure we know what police are doing each day and allow the public to help fight crime through information sharing".
Victoria tells the Commissioner; “Let the public control police through an App!”
Today at the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, Deputy Mayor Victoria Borwick asked the Commissioner to introduce a Smartphone app ‘Met Police Beat’ which allows you to follow, contact and rate your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT).
Commenting Victoria Borwick said,
“This app could prove to be a ground-breaking way to re-connect communities with their local police.
Tony Arbour discusses London's choice with Heathrow Third Runway Referendums
Tony Arbour AM, the London Assembly Member for South West London, has called on Mayor Boris Johnson to support Heathrow Third Runway Referendums. AM Arbour was given Mayor Boris Johnsons support at the September 19th 2012 Mayors Question Time of referendums in every London borough on whether a 3rd runway should be built at Heathrow.
Richmond Council has already announced their intention to hold a referendum and the Mayor made clear that he supported this approach.
Commenting Tony Arbour said: “It is crucial that the Government understands the strength of opposition to allowing Heathrow Airport to build a 3rd runway. I am delighted that the Mayor backed the approach of London boroughs holding referendums on this subject and I’m sure Londoners will be unsurprised to learn that the Mayor confirmed that he would vote ‘No’.”
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July MQT Summary
This month MQT (4th July 2012) included some very interesting questions regarding Prioritising investigations, Cleaning up the A12, and Stopping Metal Theft in London. We have compiled three summary videos of these questions, and hope to compile some more video's on the other questions asked to the Mayor by the GLA Conservatives. For the full list of our questions with a short description read our post.
Prioritising investigations
June 2012 MQT Summary
Today the GLA Conservative Assembly Members Questioned the Mayor on a range of questions from Suburban Rail to Heathrow Expansion. The Mayor agreed with our Members on a great deal of issues, but also this gave our Members a chance to expand London's and their own knowledge of these topics.
This is a MQT Summary in progress as it takes a couple of days for everything to be compiled so check back often or follow the Assembly_Tories on twitter for the latest updates.
Richard Tracey questions Mayor over Suburban Rail control
Richard Tracey AM, GLA Conservative Transport spokesman, today (13 June) pushed the Mayor to renew his efforts to lobby the Government regarding control of the overland rail network. Asking a question at the Mayor's Question Time, Richard asked Boris Johnson to instruct Transport for London to flesh out what a suburban rail network run by City Hall would look like.
Richard said:
"Many commuters who have no other option than to use the overland train routes face a less than satisfactory service. This was demonstrated over the Jubilee weekend when many train operators failed to put on extra services which caused chaos on the network. I fully support the desire of the Mayor to have a stake in the commuter rail lines, so he can make them work for Londoners. He now needs to ensure that Transport for London put forward a clear vision of what timetables will look like, and what improvements may be implemented if the Mayor had control. This would go some way to building support for a TfL run service"
Related Tweets from Assembly_Tories
https://twitter.com/Assembly_Tories/status/212874257716346880
- More than 5,000 ppl signed the petition calling fr changes to the current CR2 proposals @KemiBadenoch @WimbledonNews https://t.co/JraHnbumBd
- .@KemiBadenoch receives a petition from @WimbledonNews and local residents opposing Crossrail 2 proposals https://t.co/NxaZBxwhrI
- .@SteveO_Connell says TfL's financial commitment 'is a sign that this plan is being taken seriously' https://t.co/EQf2Sfzlmb
