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The Board will provide strategic direction for the next phase of the response to COVID-19 as London begins to reopen its economy while still controlling the virus.

The London Transition Board, to coordinate London’s transition from lockdown to recovery from Covid-19, met for the first time yesterday (9 June 2020) – jointly chaired by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Mayor of London.

The Board, made up of senior leaders from across the capital working with central government, will provide strategic direction for the next phase of the response to COVID-19 as London begins to reopen its economy while still controlling the virus.

Discussion at the meeting yesterday focused on infection control and testing and how the capital is responding to the biggest challenges relating to COVID-19. Key themes the Board would focus on over the coming months, including the safe reopening of businesses, transport and the use of public space, and the challenges faced in health and social care were also discussed.

Further details were also agreed around the structures in place to support the London Transition Board. This includes a new London Transition Management Group which will report directly to the London Transition Board and coordinate and provide updates on the work being done by different agencies and sub-groups. It will respond to any subsequent waves of infections, should they arise, and incorporates the Strategic Co-ordination Group emergency planning arrangements set up in March.

Separately, a new London Recovery Board has also been set up by the Mayor to oversee the capital’s wider economic and social long-term recovery, developing a strategy and plan of action which focusses on leading to a greener, more equal and better future.

Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, yesterday said:

As co-chair with the Mayor of London, I look forward to working closely with the Board over the coming weeks to get life and business in London back on track, giving others the confidence to move forwards and building on the extensive planning already under way.

London is the most dynamic capital city in the world and together we will focus on swiftly and safely reopening our capital city and restoring and renewing all that we love about it.

I also want to thank Londoners – especially all those working on the front line -  for all of their hard work so far in tackling this virus.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, yesterday said:

I’m pleased the new Transition Board has met for the first time, with a real commitment from everyone involved to put politics aside and tackle all the key challenges we face as a city over the coming months.

Re-opening our economy will be hugely complex and require close working between all levels of Government and London’s businesses, trade unions and voluntary sector groups.

 The COVID-19 pandemic is the most significant public health crisis in living memory. Whether around infection control and supporting our health and social care providers, or ensuring businesses can re-open safely, our city’s recovery from Covid-19 must ensure that nobody is left behind.

Membership of the London Transition Board

Mayor of London (Sadiq Khan) – Co-Chair

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Robert Jenrick) – Co-Chair

London Councils, Chair, Peter John OBE (Lab)

London Councils, Deputy Chair, Georgia Gould (Lab)
London Councils, Vice Chair, Teresa O’Neill (Conservative)
London Councils, Vice Chair, Ruth Dombey (LibDem)
London Councils, Vice Chair, Catherine McGuinness (Ind)

Chair, London C19 Co-ordinating Group (John Barradell)

Chair, Chief Executives of London Councils (Zina Etheridge)

Chair, New West End Company (Sir Peter Rogers)
Chair, London First (Paul Drechsler)

Chairman, TheCityUK (Sir Adrian Montague)

Minister for London, BEIS (Paul Scully)

Chief Executive, Camden Town Unlimited (Simon Pitkeathley)

CEO, Trust for London (Bharat Mehta)

Commissioner, Transport for London (Mike Brown)

Commissioner, Metropolitan Police (Dame Cressida Dick)

NHS Regional Director For London, NHS E (David Sloman)

Vice President, Kings College London (Baroness Bull)

Director, City Bridge Trust (David Farnsworth)

Chief Executive, Leeds City Council (Tom Riordan)