The increase aims to provide vital funding for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and London Fire Brigade (LFB), addressing budget shortfalls caused by years of underfunding.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced a proposed council tax increase in his Draft Budget to secure critical funding for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the London Fire Brigade (LFB). The rise, set at £18.98 annually for Band D households (equivalent to £1.58 per month), will generate £14 for policing and £4.98 for fire services.
Funding the Metropolitan Police
While the Government recently allocated £208.4 million in additional funding for the MPS, a £1.1 billion real-terms cut in annual core funding over the past decade has left the Met with significant budget gaps. The proposed £14 increase per household will raise £54 million, enabling the Met to maintain neighbourhood policing and tackle violent crime and robbery.
Sadiq Khan has already doubled the funding provided to the Met since 2016, boosting City Hall contributions from 19% to 25% of its total budget. His Draft Budget proposes a £1.149 billion allocation for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) in 2025-26—103% more than the previous Mayor’s final budget.
Supporting the London Fire Brigade
The LFB, the UK’s largest fire service, will receive the entirety of a proposed 3% non-police council tax precept increase, amounting to 41p per month for Band D households. This funding will sustain critical improvements made following the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, including better equipment, enhanced training, and faster emergency response times.
Free School Meals for London’s Children
In addition to safety funding, the Draft Budget earmarks £147.5 million to provide free school meals for all London state primary schoolchildren in 2025-26. This scheme has delivered 43 million meals in its first year, benefiting 287,000 children and saving families over £1,000 per child.
Mayor’s Commitment to Safety and Equity
Sadiq Khan emphasised that increasing council tax was a last resort but necessary to keep London safe. “The Government’s recent funding is welcome, but it does not close the gap left by years of cuts. My priority is to ensure our police and fire services have the resources they need,” he said.
He also highlighted the impact of free school meals: “This programme has transformed lives, supporting families and children during challenging times. I’m committed to its continuation as long as I’m Mayor.”
