Under Fire Sadiq Khan’s powers as Mayor of London could be re-examined

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Sadiq Khan’s powers can be reviewed under plans being studied by ministers.

The Mayor of London has been criticized for his management of the Metropolitan Police and the Fire Service, both of which have been placed in special measures.

This week he announced the expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Area (Ulez) in August next year to cover almost all of the area within the M25. MPs warned it would crucify small businesses, but ministers admitted they were powerless to stop it.

Officials at the Department for Settlement, Housing and Communities are currently examining devolution offers from various parts of the country and have recently announced deals with Cornwall, Suffolk and Norfolk.

But senior government figures are understood to be keen to scrutinize the devolution of power in the capital, particularly at a time when other parts of the UK are calling for greater local powers.

A British government source told The Telegraph that Mr Khan “obviously got a good majority, but the Met police are in special measures, the fire services are in special measures and he’s spending on housing development”.

The source added: “As we look at frameworks for devolution elsewhere in the country, it is a natural time to check back on what has been accomplished in London.”

It is still being debated whether the London authorities’ review will be an internal government analysis or whether it will be a larger piece of work, possibly involving public consultation.

Police and fire service in special procedures

The Greater London Authority (GLA) has powers for policing, fire and emergency planning, as well as transport and economic development in the capital.

Earlier this year, the Metropolitan Police were put into special proceedings after a series of scandals, with Tory sources blaming Mr Khan for “falling asleep at the wheel”.

The police oversight body of Britain’s largest force said it was seen as a failure due to “high-profile incidents” which had had a “chilling effect on public trust and confidence” in the force.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Police cited scandals including the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving officer, the strip search of a teenage school girl who was menstruating, and the stand-up and search of athlete Bianca Williams.

And last week, the London Fire Brigade was placed into special measures by a watchdog after an inquiry found the brigade to be “institutionally racist and misogynistic”.

You will now face an “enhanced level of monitoring” by inspectors, according to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Police, Fire and Rescue Services.

It comes after an independent review published last month found the fire brigade had a “toxic culture that allows for bullying and abuse”.

Under the Oleys expansion plan, motorists whose cars were produced before 2005 would be charged £12.50 to enter the city – leading to fears of a ‘fiscal wall’ between the capital and the rest of the country.

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