00:00I've had lots of conversations with Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, but also his team, including Lou Hay,
00:06who's done a really good job over the last 10, 11 days with this announcement today.
00:11We'll look carefully at the detail. We'll work closely with the government on the roadmap.
00:15But I think it's really important to recognise that people in Lewisham in London feel as disconnected with Whitehall as
00:22those in Leeds or Liverpool.
00:23People in Newham in London feel as disconnected with Whitehall as those in Newcastle and Nottingham.
00:30I think it's really important to trust mayors who know their regions better to make these decisions.
00:36I think we should be retaining more of the money that's raised in London, whether it's business rates, whether it's
00:42income tax.
00:43We should have the ability to decide about transport infrastructure.
00:46We should have the ability to help our young people have the skills for the jobs being created.
00:51So I welcome the announcement. We'll work with the government to make sure we get as much as possible, as
00:56soon as possible.
00:57Recent polling has revealed issues most important to Londoners and over which the mayor has control, included policing, crime and
01:07housing.
01:07In a wider assessment of public opinion about London, the poll found that a narrow majority of Londoners, 51%, believe
01:17the city is heading in the wrong direction.
01:19Compared with 34% who think it is heading in the right direction.
01:25Well, I'm really excited that there's a Labour government. Over the last 10 years, Andy's my seventh prime minister.
01:32And I said to Andy the same thing I've said to the previous six prime ministers.
01:35The country succeeds when London succeeds. London succeeds when the country succeeds.
01:40What we can't afford to have is anti-London governments. What we need is support from the government.
01:44This prime minister has given us that support, as did the last one, Keir Starmer.
01:47I'm loving being the mayor. I'm loving working with a Labour government.
01:51I tend to make these decisions in the third year of my mayoralty, as I did in term one and
01:57term two.
01:58And I'll do the same in this term.
02:00My experience over the last 10 years is Thames Water have provided a shoddy service, a very expensive service and
02:06a very poor service.
02:07We have record leaks across our city year after year. We have hosepipe bans again.
02:12We also have a situation where there's record discharge from our sewers into our rivers and waterways.
02:17It's not acceptable. And so what's important is for the regulator to get a grip, for those that run Thames
02:23Water to get a grip.
02:24And I'm really pleased that Andy Burnham is looking into all the options at his disposal to make sure Thames
02:30Water raises their game.
02:32What shouldn't happen is the taxpayer bails out these shareholders who in previous years have received record dividends.
02:39What's really important is Thames Water, rather than complaining, rather than moaning, sorts themselves out.
02:46Look, I want London to be the safest and the best place to grow up as a young person in
02:50the world.
02:51I want young Londoners to get the same opportunities and support that I received growing up in our city.
02:56So we've announced this additional funding, record funding of £100 million.
02:59I want young Londoners to get a wheelchair.
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