We have recently seen protests locally and around the world, following the horrific death of George Floyd in America at the hands of police officers.

These protests have renewed the debate around racial inequality in our society, and it is important that this issue is now addressed.

The size and scale of the calls for justice and action, which the protests clearly demonstrate, must not be ignored any longer.

We must take this opportunity to confront the very real need to reform Britain’s institutions to stamp out the systemic and institutional racism that blights our society.

Through my work on the London Assembly’s police & crime committee, I hope to address some of these issues, and ensure that tactics being deployed by the Met, such as stop and search, are proportionate and intelligence-led.

Elsewhere at City Hall, the health committee is beginning to look at the lessons we must learn from the Covid-19 outbreak in London.

I recently asked questions about how we can effectively address the deep health inequalities that hold back our capital.

At the economy committee, we have examined the extra support required for small businesses in the wake of the pandemic.

I have been pleased to be able to highlight the great work of the council in recent months responding to this crisis.

However, it is clear that local authorities urgently need an injection of funding from central government so key services can be protected and the most vulnerable in our communities can be reached.