London boroughs are championing Londoners who want to make the switch to electric vehicles through the delivery of more than 3,000 on-street charge points in residential areas. This makes up nearly half of the 6,500 charge point devices delivered across the capital in the last two years.

Delivery has been propelled through the Go Ultra Low City Scheme (GULCS), a nationwide programme funded by the Office for Zero Emissions Vehicles (OZEV), established to increase electric vehicle uptake and tackle the dangers of air pollution.

The GULCS London programme has provided boroughs with more than £7 million funding for the delivery of charge points in residential areas and is managed by London Councils, the Greater London Authority and TfL.

London Councils is encouraging councils with old technology to dispose of to consider donating them for reuse by the digitally excluded.

The value of online connectivity and access to technology has been highlighted over the past year. However, there is an ongoing challenge to ensure everyone has access to technology.  

SocialBox.Biz is one organisation which seeks to bridge the digital divide and help both isolated and lonely Londoners connect with loved ones and access online content such as learning materials. They have teamed up with Age UK and other charity partners to help provide vulnerable and isolated Londoners with technology during the pandemic in order to help keep individuals connected.

Through their Laptops for Homeless and Vulnerable Initiative, they are looking for donations of old technology that is no longer needed, but still useful. Councils and organisations can donate laptops as well as screens, keyboards, telephones and other ICT. Please contact SocialBox.Biz to discuss further if you think you have suitable items to donate.

London boroughs are working with the GLA and Electoral Commission to ensure all vote counts for the London Mayoral and local by-elections on 6 May proceed safely 

We can reassure Londoners than we have plans in place that prioritise public health and protect the democratic process. Despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, we believe there will be enough members of staff to deliver the elections.

Today's edition of Key Issues will be the last before the upcoming London Mayoral election and local by-elections due to take place on Thursday 6 May. We will resume publication on Wednesday 12 May.