Mayor urged to do more over Ask for Angela

The London Assembly is calling on the Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan to encourage councils to add the Ask for Angela scheme to venues' licensing conditions.

A report from the Assembly's Economy, Culture and Skills Committee suggested the mayor should work with the organisation representing local authorities in the capital, London Councils, to "promote best practice in licensing".

Making participation in the scheme a condition of licensing would ensure its operation is enforceable as part of routine licensing visits, the committee said.

It comes after a BBC undercover investigation revealed pubs, bars and clubs that signed up for the safety scheme are not implementing it.

The report, entitled London's Night-Time Economy, referred to the BBC investigation and the fact that Westminster City Council and Camden Council already include the operation of Ask for Angela as a consideration in granting licences to sell alcohol.

"The committee believes that more councils should adopt this approach – provided that the scheme operates effectively and staff in venues are properly trained," it said.

The committee's report also supported introducing a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets for live music in the capital, which would go towards supporting grassroots music venues (GMVs) in London.

It comes after MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Committee said in May the levy was the best way to support struggling local music venues.

Among the Assembly committee's other recommendations were that the mayor should instruct Transport for London (TfL) to review Night Tube provision since 2016 and assess the feasibility, benefits or difficulties of expanding the service.

It also suggested the mayor should develop a code of practice for organisations in the entertainment sector in London that employ freelancers, to ensure better pay and conditions.

The report was the result of an investigation by the committee, which saw industry experts, professionals and local authorities providing evidence on London's night-time economy, current work and barriers preventing further growth.

Marina Ahmad AM, chair of the committee, said its members were "keen to see the Ask for Angela scheme to form part of venue licensing conditions, to ensure the safety of women and girls in London's nightlife".

"We know that the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee support the introduction of a voluntary levy on arena and stadium tickets to support GMVs, which is why we are calling on the mayor to support this call and help these vital venues continue to thrive in London," she added.

"We will push for our recommendations to help shape the work of the taskforce to help London reach its goal of being a leading 24 hour city."

The committee said the findings would be shared with the mayor's Nightlife Taskforce.

A spokesperson for the mayor said the taskforce was launched because "London's nightlife industries, as with other cities across the country, have faced a huge range of challenges in recent years" including the rising cost of living, operational costs, staffing shortages and licensing issues.

"The mayor will consider the Assembly's report and respond in due course. He will continue to do all he can to support London's nightlife, which is so vital to the success of our city, as we continue to build a better London for everyone."

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