A Snapshot Of Life In London

Most Londoners like their city, its diversity, cultural facilities and economic opportunities, according to the latest MORI research released today. But they remain concerned about congested streets, public transport, crime rates and the cost of living.

The research was commissioned by the Greater London Authority as part of a rolling programme of consultation with Londoners. Since July the Mayor has met thousands of Londoners at public events like People's Question Time and Meet the Mayor sessions. The Mayor will also be consulting the public on his key strategies including the Transport Strategy and Spatial Development Strategy.

Commenting on the research, Ken Livingstone said, "This report gives a fascinating snapshot of Londoners' feelings about their city at the beginning of the 21st century. Londoners want and expect their Mayor to get to grips with improving public transport and reducing congestion, to work with the police to tackle crime, and to make sure that Londoners can afford to live in our city. These are my priorities for action too.

"Since taking office less than six months ago I have been laying the foundations which will help deliver on these priorities. This week Bob Kiley takes up his post as Transport Commissioner and the public consultation of my draft transport strategy will be launched. This strategy sets out the need to dramatically improve public transport and introduce congestion charging if we are to reduce the problem of getting around in the capital."

The research found that 93 per cent of respondents said that traffic congestion is a major problem in London and see the reduction of this congestion as the aspect of the London transport system most in need of improvement. Over half of the respondents also supported the restriction of car access to the city centre.

Ken Livingstone continued, "In the next few weeks my first budget will be set. This budget is primarily a budget for policing with 16360million investment in front line policing, including funding for an extra 1,000 extra officers. I hope that the increased police presence in London will enable people to feel more confident both day and night on the capital's streets.

"Tackling the lack of affordable housing in London is also one of my key priorities and I intend to use all the powers available to me to see that people on low and moderate incomes, and in particular key workers, are not priced out of the housing market.

"It will be interesting to see how public percpetions change with time. As this research shows, most Londoners think that the capital is a great place to live. But by tackling some of the problems it can be made even better."

MORI Chairman Sir Robert Worcester said "The findings of this study will upset the prejudices of the sceptics who think of Londoners as glum and stressed. Sure, there are stresses that come with living in the nation's capital, and the transport problems and crime are highlighted as the 'pinch points'. On balance however, the vast majority of people living in London say that it is the excitement, the diversity of opportunity, arts, theatre, and people that make living in London worthwhile."

Technical details

MORI interviewed a total of 1,437 residents (aged 16 +) in 126 randomly selected Enumeration Districts (ED) across the Greater London Area. The sample included equal numbers of interviews in each of the 14 GLA constituencies. Within each ED quotas were set using 1991 Census data and 1996 mid year estimates to reflect the population profile of that neighbourhood. The fieldwork was conducted between 21st October - 19th November 2000. All interviews were conducted face-to-face in respondents' homes. Data are weighted to the known population profile of the Greater London area.

Executive Summary

• Most Londoners are happy living in London, with four in five (83%) saying they are satisfied with their neighbourhood, and three-quarters (75%) saying they are satisfied with London as a place to live. Two-thirds also say that they are proud to be a Londoner, while only one in eight disagree.
• The aspects of life in the capital that Londoners most enjoy are the range of shops, nightlife and museums and galleries on offer, the good job opportunities, and the diverse mixture of people who live here. Over four in five residents (83%) enjoy the cultural diversity of London, and three-quarters say that the capital offers good employment opportunities.
• Eighty-three per cent of residents agree with the statement, 'London may not be perfect but I enjoy living here'; they do have clear priorities for improvement. Crime rates and personal safety, public transport, the unaffordable cost of living in the Capital (in particular, the cost of housing), and health services stand out as areas requiring urgent attention.
• When asked to consider what should be the top priorities for the new Mayor to improve living and working conditions in London, public transport emerges again as the most pressing issue. Residents see the reduction of traffic congestion and pollution as vital, twinned with improved reliability, and cheaper fares, for buses and tubes. Over four in five support improved investment, and greater subsidies. Transport initiatives that will restrict personal use of cars - more bus priority measures, and restricted car access to the city centre - are supported by 67% and 53%, respectively.
• Reducing crime is suggested by over half, 54%, as an issue needing improvement. While nine in ten say that they feel safe walking outside alone during the day, this falls to just half who feel safe walking alone in the evening, including 38% of women (65% of men feel safe), and 34% of those aged 65 and over.
• Over half of residents also say that the unaffordable cost of living is one of the worst things about living in the capital. More affordable housing is seen as a particular need; nine in ten agree that housing and accommodation in London is too expensive.
• Awareness of the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, is high; 79% of Londoners correctly name him as the Mayor. When asked to rate his performance as Mayor, more residents say they are satisfied with the way he is doing his job than dissatisfied (30% vs 8%). Forty per cent say, on balance, that they are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied, and 23% answer 'don't know' (given that this survey - providing benchmark data for future research - was conducted four months after the Mayor's inauguration, this was to be expected, and is mirrored by the high level of don't knows/wait and sees when a new national party leader is chosen).
• Similarly, 39% of Londoners say they are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the way the London Assembly is doing its job, and 36% answer 'don't know'. Again though, more residents are satisfied than dissatisfied (19% vs 7%).
• Most residents realise that the Mayor's responsibilities include public transport (mentioned by 61%) and just under half say that it is his responsibility to represent London in Great Britain (47%), and recognise the need for the Mayor to work closely with the London Boroughs and other partners. However, there is some confusion over his precise powers - one in five think he is responsible for education and 16% say the Mayor has responsibility for the health service. Small minorities also think he is responsible for setting and raising taxes.
• Two in five say they 'don't know' what the Assembly is responsible for. Those that say they are aware of the Assembly's responsibilities are most likely to mention public transport, co-ordination of the London Boroughs, and scrutinising budgets for transport, development, police and fire authorities.
• There is some work to be done in informing residents about the responsibilities of the Greater London Authority - three-quarters say they are only given limited information, or are not told much about what it does. Interestingly, those who are well informed are significantly more likely to say they are satisfied with the way both the Mayor and the Assembly are performing their jobs.