LONDON ASSEMBLY LIB DEMS PUBLISH ALTERNATIVE BUDGET

10.44.53am GMT Wed 26th Jan 2005

Ahead of the Budget debate later today, the London Assembly Liberal Democrats have published their alternative budget for London that will put forward an extra £57.6million to tackle crime while freezing the overall budget in real terms at 3.4% increase.

The Liberal Democrat Alternative Budget to the Mayor proposes more money for the police to tackle violent crime and anti-social behaviour.

Earlier today, the Lib Dems published new figures which show violent crime now accounts for one in four of all crimes in the capital.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly group, Graham Tope, said:-

"In his first four years in office the Mayor doubled his share of the Council tax and combined with inflation busting rises on fares and Congestion Charge, his proposed new Council tax increase is simply unacceptable.

"With crime, at the top of Londoners concerns and violent crime on the rise in the capital, it is vital that more money is invested into the police services to bring down both crime and the fear of crime.

"It is time the Mayor cut the amount of inefficiency and waste that has blighted much of is done in London and instead provide real investment in front line services."

ENDS

Notes to editor

Full details of the proposals can be downloaded from the hyperlink

Related Link:

Lib Dem Alternative Budget