When will your final Public London Charter be published?

After extensive consultation, I am aiming to publish the Public London Charter in the autumn, along with other London Plan guidance documents. As outlined in the London Plan, the Public London Charter will set out principles for the management of new public spaces. This will ensure they are inclusive places that all Londoners can enjoy and that any rules and restrictions are only those that are essential for the safe management of the space. I strongly believe in the value of London’s public realm and the vital role it will continue to play in our city’s future. Over the past year or so, you have seen how we have relied upon these spaces more for our wellbeing, for fresh air and exercise, for spending time with our family and coming together with friends, in line with government guidance.

In developing the charter, we carried out formal consultation, alongside a robust engagement programme, which concluded earlier this year. Overall the feedback has been positive and there is a broad consensus that the principles will provide an effective framework for good management of public spaces within London. The Public London Charter is just one element of the full suite of guidance that will be published to support the implementation of my London Plan. This will include guidance on Good Quality Homes for all Londoners, “be seen” energy monitoring, Circular Economy Statements, Whole Life-Cycle Carbon and documents covering a number of other areas. The process in developing these documents did take time, but it is time well spent.

Thank you very much, Mr Mayor. There is a lot to ask about there, but not much time. I would love it if you would be more specific in the autumn when you speak, but also, will the charter send a very strong signal about facial recognition being used by private companies? I would love it if you would implement a ban or at least very strongly ask private companies to avoid facial recognition. They have done this in San Francisco.

The legislative powers of San Francisco are a bit different to London, but what we have got in the Public London Charter is that the use of smart and digital technologies should comply with all relevant Laws and codes of practice. This includes the strong requirements around the collection of Biometric data set out under the Data Protection Act 2018 and the requirement for data protection impact assessments. Our approach throughout the Public London Charter and my draft Emerging Technology Charter is rooted in the observance of law and enhancing public transparency. I want all emerging technologies to be transparent, respect our diversity and ensure trustworthiness in the use of personal data. If technologies like facial recognition cannot meet those tests, then they should not be deployed in London.

I think transparency is excellent, but I do not think people want transparency on this. I think they do not want facial recognition, so will you ban it?

I think what the public want is transparency in the use of technology, whether it is facial recognition or other issues. I am quite clear in relation to what the new public charter will say this autumn. I think it will address some of the concerns we have. I would make this point: it only goes towards new public spaces and we have got to be cognisant about the vast areas of London not covered by the new Public London Charter. That is one of the reasons why we have got to work with the various commissioners - the Information Commissioner is just one example - to make sure any codes of practice address some of the legitimate concerns Londoners have about not just the use of facial recognition, but storage and other issues that are related to facial recognition as it evolves.

Thank you, Mr Mayor.