The London Assembly Plenary meeting on 5 March 2026 focused heavily on London's economy, jobs, and growth, with a significant portion dedicated to questioning the Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, Howard Dawber OBE, about the Mayor's Growth Plan and related economic strategies. The Assembly also considered and voted on various budget-related motions and reappointed Independent Persons.

London's Economy, Jobs and Growth and the Mayor's Growth Plan

The meeting featured a question and answer session with Howard Dawber OBE, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth, and Alex Conway, Assistant Director of Economic Development and Programmes at the Greater London Authority (GLA). Dawber presented a mixed picture of London's economy, highlighting its global competitiveness and resilience, citing its consistent ranking as the world's greatest city and a leading startup hub. He noted strong intellectual capital, its position as a premier financial centre, and its appeal as a tourist destination. However, he also acknowledged significant challenges, including rising unemployment rates, particularly among young people, and difficulties faced by businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, due to high costs and reduced consumer spending.

Assembly Members raised concerns about inclusive growth, with Caroline Russell AM questioning Dawber about a report on socio-economic inequalities facing women from Romani, Gypsy, Roma, and Irish Traveller communities. Dawber expressed interest in the report and committed to meeting with its authors. Hina Bokhari OBE AM pressed for details on the £20 million allocated for the AI Taskforce, its objectives for upskilling Londoners and supporting businesses, and the timeline for receiving further information. Dawber explained that the funding was primarily for implementing the taskforce's recommendations, such as training courses, and that details would be released imminently. He outlined the Mayor's Growth Plan's (LGP) key performance indicators (KPIs), including job creation, GDP growth, productivity increases, and poverty reduction, and discussed efforts to make the skills system more employer-focused.

Alessandro Georgiou AM challenged the Mayor's economic policies, citing increased unemployment and business closures, and questioned Dawber's stance on the National Insurance (NI) increase. Dawber defended the Mayor's pro-business approach and stated that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had made difficult but necessary decisions to stabilise public finances. He acknowledged concerns about the NI increase's impact on businesses and youth employment, noting that the government had made some policy changes following consultation. Susan Hall AM echoed these concerns, highlighting the detrimental effect of increased employer NI contributions on youth employment and apprenticeships.

Marina Ahmad AM inquired about actions to support London's economy between 6pm and 6am, following the Nightlife Taskforce report. Dawber confirmed plans to establish a permanent Nightlife Commission and work with local authorities on licensing policies to support smaller venues and reduce regulatory complexity. Emma Best AM repeatedly questioned Dawber on whether businesses were right or wrong in stating that the NI increase was damaging them, but Dawber declined to directly answer, stating he would not criticise government decisions.

Bassam Mahfouz AM raised the potential introduction of an overnight stay levy for tourists, suggesting it could generate funds for tourism promotion and support Outer London boroughs. Dawber acknowledged the hotel industry's opposition but highlighted the significant funding gap for tourism promotion compared to competitor cities. He also discussed the positive impact of the NHS's improved interface with businesses.

Andrew Boff AM questioned the Mayor's approach to alfresco dining and support for businesses in Wandsworth, while Krupesh Hirani AM asked about support for Outer London town centres and the allocation of the £5 million high street fund. Dawber highlighted initiatives like business improvement districts and the repurposing of empty retail spaces, such as the former British Home Stores (BHS) building in Sutton.

Gareth Roberts AM expressed concern about the Mayor potentially gaining licensing powers and how the tourism levy would benefit Outer London boroughs. Joanne McCartney AM discussed the importance of transport infrastructure for economic growth, referencing the success of the Elizabeth line and the need for further investment in projects like the West London Orbital and the Bakerloo line extension. She also stressed the importance of devolving regional rail lines to Transport for London (TfL).

Lord Bailey of Paddington AM questioned the failure to deliver enough homes and the competitiveness of London's professional services sector. Dawber attributed housing market issues to interest rates and Brexit-related cost increases, while highlighting London & Partners' (L&P) role in supporting fast-growing businesses and attracting foreign direct investment. Elly Baker AM inquired about the impact of AI and autonomous vehicles on jobs, and Dawber confirmed that autonomous vehicles would be within the scope of the AI Taskforce. Zoë Garbett AM raised concerns about private developers and landlords impacting street markets, citing the situation at Ridley Road Market. Dawber acknowledged the issue and expressed willingness to investigate. James Small-Edwards AM asked about the economic benefits of international sport and the role of L&P in attracting events like the NBA to London. Zack Polanski AM advocated for a Minister for the night-time economy and questioned the impact of business rates on nightclubs, while also discussing wealth tax.

Reappointment of Independent Persons

The Assembly agreed to extend the appointments of Suzanne McCarthy and Farhat Sadik as Independent Persons under Section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011 until 30 April 2029. They will each receive an annual allowance of £1250. This decision is a joint one with the Mayor.

Motions and Petitions

The Assembly considered several motions submitted by Assembly Members, covering topics such as government policy U-turns, the state of the UK economy, student loan repayments, funding for services supporting vulnerable women, the impact of AI and automation on the taxi and private hire vehicle sector, and the installation of bleed control kits on buses. The Assembly also noted petitions regarding the release of Green Belt land for development and traffic calming measures on Finborough Road.

Budget Considerations

The Assembly debated and voted on various budget-related motions concerning the Mayor's Draft Consolidated Budget for 2026-27. While some amendments and motions were not carried, a motion proposed by Krupesh Hirani AM, welcoming increased funding from the government and calling for additional investment in the Metropolitan Police Service and TfL, was carried. Motions proposed by Zoë Garbett AM and Caroline Russell AM, concerning the withdrawal of a community land trust project and support for road crash victims respectively, were also carried. The substantive motion to approve the Draft Consolidated Budget was carried, with no formal amendments agreed.