TfL Bakerloo line extension and Central line missing from Jeremy Hunt's Budget: 'Clear failing for Londoners'

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's spring Budget has been labelled a "clear failing for Londoners" after key transport issues for the capital were notably absent.

Last week, calls were made for the Bakerloo line extension to be funded in the Budget, as well as upgrades to the line.

A report released by Central London Forward, a partnership of 12 local authorities, highlighted the value to sustainable travel of the extension. It warned of the escalating risks of inaction on necessary upgrades – including a potential "critical failure" of the line. 

The chancellor's budget on Wednesday included a dig at mayor of London Sadiq Khan ("The Labour Mayor of London wants to punish motorists even more with his ULEZ plans") but no funds for the capital's transport infrastructure.

Marina Ahmad, London Assembly Labour spokesperson for the economy, said: "The government’s spring Budget is a clear failing for Londoners. It shows little to no support for our city, with no long-term funding plan for TfL, meaning the much-needed updates to the Central Line, and the Bakerloo line extension continue to go unfunded.

"We see no rise to Universal Credit, meaning people in and out of work will continue to struggle with the rising cost of living, too often unable to provide food and essentials for their families. The government has failed to address NHS waiting lists, keeping thousands of people out of work. This continued inaction is straining our valued public services even more."

Mr Hunt did announce a taskforce to oversee the next stages of delivery of a privately financed HS2 Euston station and a Euston Housing Delivery delivery group with £4 million to support plans to deliver up to 10,000 new homes.

He assigned £124 million for Barking Riverside to "unlock" 7,200 homes, as well as an £118 million investment "to accelerate delivery of the Canary Wharf scheme".

"This will deliver a life sciences hub, commercial and retail floor space, a healthcare diagnostic facility and up to 750 homes," he said.

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “This is another deeply disappointing Budget for London. It’s further evidence that the government is failing to adequately support the capital’s economy, invest in our vital public services or invest in the affordable housing our country desperately needs.

“Due to the government’s mismanagement of our economy, Londoners continue to face a perfect storm of low growth, cost of living pressures, soaring housing costs, and cuts to key public services. Tax cuts announced today go nowhere near making up for the huge hikes in mortgage payments and rents Londoners have faced.

“The Metropolitan Police continues to be chronically underfunded by government despite the unprecedented pressure on its resources.

“And there was no new money for transport infrastructure in the capital, that would have direct knock-on benefits to supply chains across the country and helped kick start economic growth.

“Today’s Budget demonstrates that ministers don’t understand the pressures Londoners are under, and they continue to starve London of the investment we need that would bring benefits to the whole country.”