Mayor: Reeves made 'colossal mistake' on London

The mayor of London has criticised the chancellor of the exchequer's Spending Review, saying she made "a colossal mistake in pitting London against the rest of the country".

Speaking to BBC London, Sir Sadiq Khan said "it is bad that this government is not supporting new infrastructure in London like the extension of the DLR".

He said last week's Spending Review, when Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out the government's spending plans, "had some good, some bad and some ugly".

But he praised the home secretary for "record" funding for London's police. A Treasury spokesperson said there would be £2.2bn of funding from 2026-27 and 2029-30 for Transport for London's capital renewals programme.

Although the £2.2bn boost was confirmed in the Spending Review, no funds were allocated for the transport infrastructure projects Sir Sadiq has been lobbying for.

He had previously said a Labour government working with a Labour mayor could mean London would get what it needs.

The Treasury spokesperson added: "This government has already confirmed its backing for Heathrow's expansion, support for Thames Freeport and provided £25.3bn to progress the delivery of HS2, including at the Euston terminus."

The mayor told BBC London on Tuesday of his mixed feelings about the chancellor's announcement last week.

Sir Sadiq said: "The good stuff I welcome – after years of lobbying we have got a record-breaking deal for Transport for London.

"We have got on average a more than doubling of the amount of money received from the government compared to the previous government.

"I welcome at long last a multi-year deal for City Hall and of course the record investment in the NHS."

But he added that "I think it is bad that this government is not supporting new infrastructure in London like the extension of the DLR, which would help us not just create new jobs but build record numbers of homes.

"I think it is ugly this idea of pitting London against the rest of the country - I think our country succeeds when London does."

On his plans for DLR and Bakerloo line extensions, the mayor added: "We are still going to try and lobby for these things - I am lobbying for these things - that doesn't take away from the fact I think the chancellor got it wrong last week. I think she has made a colossal mistake in pitting London against the rest of the country."

The mayor's transport plans include a DLR extension to Thamesmead, the Bakerloo line extension to Lewisham and the West London Orbital between Hendon and Hounslow.

A Treasury spokesperson said: "We recognise the potential growth and housing benefits of the proposed DLR Thamesmead extension and we are committed to working with TfL to explore options for delivery."

Sir Sadiq also warned there may be fewer police officers in London despite "a record settlement from the Home Office combined with investment from City Hall".

He said: "My concern is because of 14 years of austerity we need huge sums to avoid further police officers, PCSOs, police staff and buildings being lost."

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