We need full transparency over Westferry Printworks
Statement from Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs following the Urgent Question raised in Parliament today (11 June) about the Westferry Printworks planning decision: Mayor John Biggs said: “Not only did the Secretary of State try to force this oversized development upon our community, he did it a day before a new £50m infrastructure charge […]
Free School Meals voucher scheme must continue over the summer holidays
Tower Hamlets Labour are calling for the Government’s Free School Meal voucher scheme to continue over the summer holidays. The scheme was introduced in March as part of the coronavirus response to help support low income families whilst schools are closed and is worth £15 per week for each eligible child, however the Government has […]
Mayor Biggs statement on Robert Milligan statue
A statement from Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs on the statue of Robert Milligan at West India Quay: “The removal of the statue of a slave trader in Bristol this weekend and the Black Lives Matter campaign has made us all reflect on the symbolism of these historical representations, and I understand the strength […]
Mayor Biggs calls for ‘Triple Lock’ protection for renters
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs has welcomed the Government’s decision to extend the temporary evictions ban, but insists that the ban must continue until robust measures are in place to protect renters once the ban is eventually lifted. Mayor Biggs has called on ministers to follow proposals from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan […]
Black Lives Matter
The killing of George Floyd shocked millions across the world. How can the most powerful nation on earth allow the authorities, who we should all be able to trust, to behave like this? How can the colour of your skin change the way you are treated or cost you your life? We are all affected […]
“Stop demolition of Sarah Chapman’s grave” urges Mayor Biggs
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs has written to the Justice Minister Robert Buckland MP urging him to prevent the demolition of Sarah Chapman’s grave in Manor Park Cemetery. His letter to the Minister: Dear Rt Hon Robert Buckland MP, I was concerned to hear that there are plans to ‘level’ the grave […]
Public Health Report reveals differing impact of Covid-19
Commenting on today’s delayed publication of the Public Health England Review ‘Disparities in the risk and outcomes of COVID-19’, which says that people of Bangladeshi ethnicity have twice the risk of death than people of white British ethnicity, Mayor of Tower Hamlets John Biggs said: “The government has finally published its report into the impact […]
Tower Hamlets Council facing a cut in emergency Government funding amidst fight against coronavirus
Tower Hamlets Council has been handed £1.4m less in the second tranche of emergency funding received from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government when compared to the first tranche received. The first tranche (a total of £1.6bn) was allocated based on a mixture of Adult Social Care Relative Needs Formulas and the 2013/14 […]
Westferry Printworks scheme quashed after Minister accused of ‘bias’
Labour-run Tower Hamlets Council has successfully taken legal action against the Government’s housing secretary after he approved the Westferry Printworks scheme. Mayor John Biggs said: We may never know what emails and memos the secretary of state received before making his decision and what influence they had, but his reluctance to disclose them speaks volumes. […]
Government’s coronavirus support must not be based on immigration status
The Mayor of Tower Hamlets has called on the Home Secretary to make an urgent change in immigration policy to protect lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) is a condition imposed on someone due to their immigration status and means that they are prevented from claiming most welfare benefits, tax […]
