Poor air quality and pollution are issues of huge concern to people across London. Caroline met with Chuka Umunna last week on Oxford Street to talk through how we can improve air quality, particularly in some of the busiest areas of central London. To tackle this, we need to take tough and decisive action.
At October's London Assembly plenary session, Caroline questioned the Mayor and the Met Police Commissioner regarding the increase in stop and search complaints. Their response was disappointing.
Caroline said:
Caroline Pidgeon's motion to the London Assembly, calling for the HIV-prevention drug PrEP to be more readily available to those in London and across England as part of routine sexual health services, was unanimously passed on 31 October.
Caroline Pidgeon and her colleagues on the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee held a very important session on 30 October to review how to address domestic abuse.
The committee heard from organisations who work on domestic abuse about the challenges faced by victims and work that we can do, here in London, to support those who suffer domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is a real and growing issue and it is important that we look at new and innovative ways of tackling it.
At Mayor's Question Time for October, Caroline discussed with the Mayor the issues raised by the London Cycling Campaign regarding junction safety and how he is ensuring junction works are being completed in line with his Vision Zero strategy.
Caroline took up with the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) the need to tackle serious overcrowding at Stratford station - greater use of Stratford International must be part of the solution.
Caroline questioned the Deputy Mayor of London for Business, and the senior leadership of the London Action Partnership (LEAP), on the serious issue of childcare on London’s economy. The lack of affordable childcare means we have the lowest maternal employment rates in any region of the UK.
Change is long overdue.
At Mayor's Question Time, Caroline welcomed the Mayor's plan to improve the van scrappage scheme to include sole traders, but stressed the need to go further and include mobility credits as part of the new car scrappage scheme.
Concerns about changes to the way London Boroughs help fund extra police officers have recently been raised by at City Hall by Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat Assembly Member.