BT Tower will project the message 'Keep London Safe', as a city-wide campaign to make Londoners aware of the importance of Covid-19 testing in keeping the infection rate low in the capital launches today.

Led by London Councils working with the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation, and supported by Public Health England, the NHS, and Greater London Authority, the partnership campaign will span borough boundaries and address the challenges of London’s’ diversity, deprivation and density.

The Keep London Safe campaign has been developed to increase awareness and understanding of NHS Test and Trace, and with the backing of the Mayor of London will drive home public health messaging and make sure Londoners know how to get a test if they are showing Covid-19 symptoms.

London Councils Executive Member for Health and Care, Cllr Ray Puddifoot said: “London boroughs remain committed to protecting and supporting Londoners in this new phase of the fight against Covid-19. The Keep London Safe campaign is a vital part of our work. By sharing key public health information with all of our residents, including how to get tested, we aim to continue controlling the virus, help save lives and keep London’s economy moving."

Follow #KeepLondonSafe on Twitter and Instagram for further messages throughout the day.

London borough leaders have signaled their ambition to deliver a green, sustainable and inclusive recovery from Covid-19 by unanimously agreeing eight proposals for tackling the climate emergency and safeguarding London’s environmental future.

The proposals include improving the energy efficiency of London’s homes and public buildings, growing London’s green economy, working via the planning system to prioritise net zero developments and developing innovative funding and financing proposals to tackle the climate emergency.

Cllr Claire Holland, Chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee, said: “London boroughs are committed to a green recovery from Covid-19 that faces up to the enormity of the climate emergency and the threat it poses if we do nothing. Now more than ever, we can see the health and environmental benefits of alternative travel and working practices for Londoners.

“It would be disastrous to let this opportunity to tackle the climate emergency pass by. By working together and building on these eight proposals, we can shape a healthier city, support local recovery and work to tackle inequality by providing green skills and jobs throughout London.”

London's boroughs have distributed over £1.6 billion to more than 105,000 businesses across the capital since the government announced its business support measures at the start of April.

London businesses have received a higher share of available funding than those outside the capital (93.8 per cent share of funding paid so far in comparison to the England average of 87.2 per cent). 

Since the start of May, boroughs have also been distributing grants from the discretionary fund to deliver financial support for small businesses that have fallen through the cracks of the initial system. These are being administered quickly and fairly following guidance set by government. However, demand from London businesses is proving far greater than the additional funding available to boroughs. London Councils is currently undertaking a review of the discretionary grant scheme in London to better understand the additional support needed by local businesses.

There is still more to be done for businesses who do not fit the grant funding criteria set by government, especially those in the supply chain for hardest-hit sectors such as retail, hospitality and leisure. In London, an increase to the rateable value threshold would ensure more London businesses are eligible for support.

We urge any small business who thinks they should be receiving grants to visit their local borough website for further information.

London Councils’ innovation programme, London Ventures, formally comes to a close at the end of August. The programme is keen to continue to share and promote as many of its innovations to local government as possible prior to its closure. These include:       

• AutonoMe: an app to promote independence in vulnerable users
• The PASSsystem: a real-time case management system for care providers
• The Cornerstone Partnership: virtual reality to support foster carers
• Xantura: a single view of household risk through multi-agency data.      

London Ventures partners also support back end processes, including:

• Blue Prism: intelligent automation to increase efficiency
• Fiscal: helping reduce the risk of fraud through transaction checking
• Oxygen Finance: protecting supply chains through early payments.

If you are interested in finding out more about how these

partners could help in your borough, please contact: [email protected]