London Mayor Sadiq Khan Announces Free School Meals and TFL Fares Freeze after Online Question Time

The mayor and London Assembly are required by law to hold two PQT events a year, with the public meetings – a place where people can pose questions to politicians in person – being held for more than two decades.

The decision to move the recent People’s Question Time (PQT) event online has sparked controversy, with some claiming a connection to a minor incident involving a sticker critical of Mayor Sadiq Khan.

We’ve taken action to ease financial pressure by providing free school meals, freezing TfL fares, and building record numbers of council homes. I’m extremely proud of what we’ve delivered and will continue to deliver: A better, fairer, and greener London for all. – Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

While one anti-Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) protester was fined for attempting to display a small, offensive sticker, no other reports of abuse or intimidation have been substantiated. Additionally, the only official complaint stemmed from alleged aggressive behaviour by a member of the mayor’s own team.

Despite this, City Hall cited attendee safety concerns as the reason for holding the event online. This move breaks with over two decades of tradition, where PQT served as a platform for in-person public engagement with politicians. Previously, only the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated online PQT gatherings.

However, it’s important to acknowledge the significant efforts undertaken by the Mayor’s office to address concerns facing Londoners.