Five key points for London from Spending Review
It is no secret that the mayor of London was not pleased with what was - or rather, what was not - in the government's recent Spending Review.
Sadiq Khan's wish list, including money for new transport infrastructure projects, was surrounded by tumbleweed. An increase in police funding - unlikely to fill the Met's budget black hole - offered cold comfort, and there were slim pickings for council finances.
The government would disagree with his outlook, pointing to investment in affordable homes, free school meals and the NHS.
So let's take a closer look at the offerings for the capital.
Transport
Transport for London (TfL) is getting a four-year spending settlement of £2.2bn.
It's a big deal because in recent years, not knowing how much government funding it would be getting beyond the next year TfL has struggled to plan ahead.
TfL commissioner Andy Lord said having four years of cash guaranteed meant TfL could now complete the introduction of new trains on the Piccadilly line and Docklands Light Railway (DLR), and new signalling on 40% of the Tube.
He said it can now procure a new tram fleet, progress discussions on new Bakerloo line trains and can get to work on renewing some of London's critical roads, tunnels and flyovers.
Infrastructure
In bad news for City Hall, no cash was allocated for the new transport infrastructure projects Sir Sadiq had been pinning his hopes on.
These included the DLR extension to Thamesmead, the Bakerloo line extension to Lewisham and the West London Orbital between Hendon and Hounslow.
This spending review was about the government's priorities and it was clear new London-based transport projects were not on that priority list.
Instead, it pointed at old infrastructure announcements we already knew about -Heathrow expansion and HS2 to Euston.
I asked the mayor's team whether it was an anti-London spending review.
The answer was unequivocal: "Yes it is".
However, an olive branch to City Hall was offered in a Treasury document, which said "the potential growth and housing benefits" of the DLR extension was recognised, and that the government "is committed to working with TfL to explore options for delivery".
Sir Sadiq, who spent the run-up to last year's General Election telling journalists a Labour government working with a Labour mayor would mean London would get what it needs, was clearly not pleased.
In the statement, he said it was "disappointing" there was no commitment to invest in the new infrastructure.
He warned that without such investment, it will be unable to build "the new affordable homes that Londoners need".
Housing
The good news on housing was the £39bn for affordable homes over 10 years, which has been welcomed by the G15 group of the capital's leading housing associations.
Chair, Ian McDermott - who is also the chief executive of the Peabody housing association - said it was clear ministers understood the issues.
"In London the challenge remains considerable, but this settlement offers a real opportunity to turn the tide."
Antonia Jennings, chief executive at the Centre for London thinktank, agreed it will bring more certainty to home builders, although did specify "the devil is in the detail".
That brings us to the not-so-pretty side of this £39bn funding - we do not yet know what proportion of the funding will actually come to London.
Ms Jennings warned a 10-year plan does not help Londoners today who are struggling to find affordable homes.
She added that it would have been "very helpful to see… an uplift to the Local Housing Allowance" to help private renters.
The Spending Review did include £950m to help councils pay for what the government described as "good-quality temporary accommodation" instead of "costly bed-and-breakfasts and hotels".
London's boroughs have welcomed that, but again, it is not clear how much will come to London.
London's councils now collectively spend £4 million a day on temporary accommodation to house homeless Londoners, and it is unclear if this sum would make much of a dent in that.
Policing
Yes, the chancellor did announce an increase of 2.3% for policing, but - and it is a huge but - the Metropolitan Police is facing a black hole in its funding of £260m this year.
Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, warned of potential cuts to officer numbers and said they might be forced to choose which crimes the Met can afford to focus on.
So is a 2.3% increase enough? The mayor of London thinks not.
The statement he issued to us read: "I remain concerned that this Spending Review could result in insufficient funding for the Met and fewer police officers."
In response, the chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC: "I really don't accept that there need to be cuts when we're increasing the money the police force gets."
Clearly all is not harmonious between London's Labour mayor and the Labour government on this issue.
Local government
Put simply, London boroughs wanted more.
The Treasury did announced an increase of around 3.1% per year in local authority core spending power, but London Councils has been warning it expects a collective funding gap of £500m this year.
Chair of the group, Claire Holland, who also leads Lambeth Council, said boroughs' finances remain "extremely difficult" and the funding "will remain very tight."
She said the critical issue going forward would be whether the government includes the cost of housing in how it decides the funding formula that determines the proportion of money each council receives.
Pointing to research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies that suggested London local government funding was 17% lower than its relative need, Holland said the distribution of funds "can be make or break for us in London".
She added it was "vital" a new funding formula is implemented, that matches resource to need.
Then there is council tax. Treasury documents for the spending review suggest council tax is expected to rise by 5% a year to pay for local services and that bills are also expected to rise further to pay for an increase in police funding.
In London that has already been happening for years.
Most councils here raised their council tax by the maximum 5% allowed this year and the mayor has, for several years, raised the council tax precept (the amount the Greater London Authority adds to your council tax bill) to provide more funding for the Met Police.
Londoners can probably expect that trend to continue.
From next year London will get an integrated settlement, bringing it in line with how funding works for combined authorities in some other parts of the country.
So instead of the Greater London Authority getting different pots of cash from central government for, for example, housing or policing, which has to be spent on those areas, the mayor will get one budget pot and the GLA will decide how to spend it.
Winners and losers: Who got what in the spending review?
Why London councils want more Spending Review cash
Could this be London's property hotspot in 2040?
Leaks and crumbling ceilings: Met says half its buildings face closure
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Amazon data centres to consume ‘as much electricity to power Burnley'
A complex of huge data centres being built by Amazon in Britain will consume as much electricity needed to power a town the size of Burnley, campaigners have claimed. The proposed data centres, near Houghton Regis in Bedfordshire, are projected to consume around 114.8 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity a year. This equivalent to the power consumed by more than 42,500 UK households, according to researchers at Global Action Plan, which is campaigning against the development. It exceeds the number of homes in Burnley, which stood at 41,955 after the most recent Census in 2021. Planning documents show the two data centres in the development will include 42 back-up diesel generators, each around 25 metres tall, that need to be fired up fortnightly to check they are working. It is estimated this will produce the same emissions as 1,079 homes heated by gas. The plans were lodged with Central Bedfordshire Council by Colliers Properties, a known partner of Amazon Web Services (AWS), the retail giant's cloud computing division. The documents name Amazon Data Services UK as the site's eventual operator. Known as Linmere Island, the project would sit on an empty 22-acre greenfield site. While the plans also include 140 solar panels, it is not clear how much power they will supply to the data centres. It comes amid growing pushback against a slew of 'hyperscale' data centre projects being lined up across Britain – a central part of the Prime Minister's strategy to boost economic growth – with campaigners raising concerns over their environmental impact. One complex near Blyth, Northumberland, is forecast to produce more greenhouse gas emissions than Birmingham Airport, which carries 12m passengers per year. Another in Elsham, Lincolnshire, is predicted to generate five times the carbon dioxide of the same airport. It underscores the challenge faced by Sir Keir Starmer as he battles to restore economic growth while hitting net zero targets. Data centres are vital to artificial intelligence, and were classed as critical national infrastructure last September, with Sir Keir establishing 'AI growth zones' to speed up such building projects. AWS set out plans last September to invest £8bn in the UK to build data centres. At the time, Tanuja Randery of AWS, said its strategy would help meet the 'growing needs' of its customers and 'support the transformation of the UK's digital economy'. The investment was hailed by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, as 'the start of the economic revival', and that it showed 'Britain is a place to do business'. But such developments require vast amounts of energy that puts it at odds with the Government's mission to become net zero by 2050. It has prompted Matt Garman, chief executive of AWS, to urge the UK to increase its supply of nuclear energy for data centres in an interview with the BBC last month. There are also mounting concerns over the amount of water that some data centres require to keep their computer banks cool enough to function properly. Oliver Hayes, head of policy and campaigns at Global Action Plan, said: 'It's astonishing that communities are expected to like it or lump it when it comes to this wave of giant data centres. 'Amazon is opaque about how much of Houghton Regis' water it will suck up in order to cool the IT equipment, but given this one data centre will require as much electricity as a town the size of Burnley, we can assume the pressure on local water supplies will be intense – to say nothing of the noise and air pollution caused by fortnightly testing of its 42 backup diesel generators.' Amazon declined to comment. Sign in to access your portfolio


CNN
an hour ago
- CNN
How I used 7,000 Amex points to fly home from London this summer
CNN Underscored reviews financial products based on their overall value. We may receive a commission through our affiliate partners if you apply and are approved for a product, but our reporting is always independent and objective. This may impact how links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit to learn more. Flying to Europe in the peak summer travel season can cost a fortune. Cash fares can skyrocket, and award availability is often limited. But with the right transfer bonus and a bit of flexibility, you can unlock serious value from your travel rewards. This summer, I flew one-way from London Heathrow (LHR) to San Francisco (SFO) for just 7,000 American Express Membership Rewards points, a fraction of what most travelers would expect to pay. The key? A 30% transfer bonus from Amex to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which brought the required 9,000 Flying Club points down to just 7,000 Amex points. Here's exactly how I did it — and how you might be able to replicate the strategy next time a bonus like this rolls around. Related article These are our favorite credit cards for Delta flyers in 2025A post shared by Kyle Olsen (@kyleolsen10) Before you redeem your Amex points, you'll need to earn points. Here's a look at several of the best Amex card offers right now, which you can transfer to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. American Express® Business Gold Card: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Limited Time Travel Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases on your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn a $500 statement credit after you spend $2,500 on qualifying flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel with your Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership. You can earn one or both of these offers. Offer ends June 30, 2025. There are several different ways you can redeem your Amex points. While some card members may redeem their points directly in the Amex Travel Portal, they can also be transferred to various airline and hotel transfer partners, including Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club is one of the most underappreciated airline loyalty programs, especially for transatlantic flights in economy class. While major US carriers may charge 30,000 to 40,000 miles (or more) for a one-way flight between Europe and the US, Virgin Atlantic regularly prices economy award tickets from 6,000 points. I found availability from London to San Francisco for just 9,000 points plus £220 (around $300) in June, and it ended up being one of the best redemptions I've made all year. Credit card issuers like American Express Membership Rewards, Capital One Miles, Chase Ultimate Rewards and Citi ThankYou American Express often run limited-time transfer bonuses to their travel partners. In October 2024, there was a 30% bonus from Amex to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. That meant every 1,000 Amex Membership Rewards points transferred would become 1,300 Flying Club points. I transferred 37,000 Amex points for various Virgin redemptions I had in mind, and those became 48,100 Flying Club points, thanks to the transfer bonus. In short, instead of needing to transfer the full 9,000 points, the transfer bonus would've only required me to transfer 7,000 Amex points, which would've yielded 9,100 Flying Club points after the 30% bonus. That was just enough to cover my flight. To put that in perspective, I got a 10-hour transatlantic flight for the equivalent of 7,000 Amex points, plus taxes and fees, which is a fantastic redemption, especially during peak travel season. I found that London to San Francisco flight by searching directly on Virgin Atlantic's website. That £220 (around $300) in taxes and fees is relatively high, as are all Virgin's fees on UK departures due to airport and fuel surcharges, but even with the cash spend factored in, this was an exceptional value. The process was simple: I located award availability on my preferred date. I transferred 7,000 Amex points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club. Within minutes, the points posted, and I completed the booking. I flew in Virgin Atlantic Economy Classic, which includes the following. One 23-kilogram (50-pound) checked bag Standard seat selection at check-in Complimentary meals, drinks and entertainment The flight itself was smooth, and the service on board was friendly and efficient. While Economy Light fares are cheaper in cash, I appreciated the added benefits of Economy Classic, especially the included luggage. Even though this exact 30% transfer bonus has expired, Amex frequently offers new ones. Here's what to do if you want to replicate this redemption strategy. Monitor Amex transfer bonuses via your Membership Rewards account. Create a Virgin Atlantic Flying Club account (if you don't already have one). Search for award availability before transferring points. Remember: Amex transfers to Virgin Atlantic are instant but nonreversible. If you find a 9,000-point flight and a 30% bonus is active, you'll only need 7,000 Amex points. Otherwise, you'll need to transfer 9,000 Amex points, which is still a great deal. Using just 7,000 Amex points to fly from London to San Francisco was a smart, high-value redemption — and a reminder that timing matters in award travel. By combining a low-cost redemption with a limited-time transfer bonus, I got more than 8 cents per point in value, a rare feat for economy travel. If you're flexible with your travel plans and pay attention to transfer bonuses, redemptions like this are very possible. For business travelers, budget-conscious vacationers or anyone trying to stretch their points further, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club should be on your radar, especially when a points transfer bonus sweetens the deal. The following FAQs have been answered by CNN Underscored travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen. How much are 100,000 Amex points worth for flights? How much are 100,000 Amex points worth for flights? 100,000 Amex Membership Rewards points are worth at least $1,000 when you redeem them for flights through Amex Travel, but you can get much more — up to $5,000 — by transferring to airline partners and booking premium cabin international flights. The value depends on how you redeem, but travel website The Points Guy values 100,000 Amex points at $2,000. Do Amex points ever expire? Do Amex points ever expire? Amex Membership Rewards points don't expire as long as you keep your account open, but you can lose them if you close all eligible cards, miss payments or violate program terms. We recommend keeping your account active and in good standing to retain your points. How do I use my Amex points most efficiently? How do I use my Amex points most efficiently? For the best value, transfer Amex points to airline partners to book premium cabin or international flights. Other options like hotel transfers, gift cards or statement credits usually offer less value. Booking through Amex Travel is easy, but it typically yields just 1 cent per point. CNN Underscored is your trusted source for credit card and travel rewards strategies because our editors don't just write about points; we use them. For this guide, travel editor and credit card expert Kyle Olsen shares his firsthand experience booking a real transatlantic flight using just 7,000 Amex points. Every detail is backed by real-world research, insider knowledge and a commitment to accuracy, so you can confidently apply these tips to your own travel plans. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Gold card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Platinum card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Business Gold card. Click here for rates and fees of the American Express Business Platinum card. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
Iran accused of abducting journalist's family in retaliation for war coverage
DUBAI — Iran detained the family members of an Iran International journalist Saturday in retaliation for the channel's coverage of the country's war with Israel, threatening to hold them until the journalist resigned from her position. The London-based Persian-language news channel said in a statement that it strongly condemns the abduction of its journalist's family, calling it 'an appalling act of hostage-taking aimed at coercing our colleague into resigning from their post.' 'This deeply reprehensible tactic marks a dangerous escalation in the regime's ruthless campaign to silence dissent and suppress independent journalism,' the news channel said. The detainment marks the latest example of Iran's long-standing effort to crack down not only on Iranian journalists inside the country but also those abroad who still have family and friends living in Iran. The Islamic Republic is one of the world's top jailers of journalists, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, and in the best of times, reporters face strict restrictions. The broadcaster said that Iran's paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps took the presenter's mother, father and younger brother to an unidentified location. The journalist, whose name the outlet did not disclose, then received a phone call from her father early Saturday, urging her to resign from her role, according to Iran International. The voices of security agents could be heard in the background telling her father what to say. 'I've told you a thousand times to resign. What other consequences do you expect?' Iran International said her father told her. 'You have to resign.' Persian-language broadcasters such as Iran International and BBC Persia have long been targets for the Islamic Republic, given that they broadcast in the native language and many Iranians, both domestically and abroad, rely on them for news, especially of the most recent Iran-Israel war amid an official internet blackout. Iran International in particular has become a target of Tehran in recent years over its programming that is critical of the theocratic government in Tehran. The Iranian government has called the news outlet a terrorist organization. One of its journalists was stabbed in 2024 in an attack suspected to have been carried out by Iran, while men were arrested in a suspected plot to target others at the channel. Amiri writes for the Associated Press.