London Mayor Sadiq Khan has welcomed the plans for further devolution of London in today’s Budget, saying it would protect the capital’s economy from the uncertainty of Brexit.

At today’s Budget, Chancellor of the Exchequer Phillip Hammond expanded on plans for London devolution.

These include improved control for London over aspects ranging from business rates, criminal justice, infrastructure, health and employment

The devolution plans include a £3.15bn deal to build 90,000 affordable homes in the city and also includes provisions allowing London control over business rates.

A new model for funding future infrastructure will be introduced, allowing future projects to be built quicker with less reliance on Government funding.

The criminal justice system will see further powers granted to London, allowing them to improve services to victims and offenders tailored to the needs of the London.

New powers granted to the Mayor and TfL will allow them to reduce congestion in the city, with air pollution levels a growing concern.

However, the Mayor has voiced his disappointment that the Chancellor did not use the Budget to provide additional funding for the Met Police or back Crossrail 2 – the proposed south west/north east rail connection.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Today’s London Devolution Agreement shows that we get the best deal for Londoners when we put party politics aside and work closely with the Government.

“I am pleased that the Chancellor has recognised that giving London more control is vital if we are to protect jobs and investment in the aftermath of Brexit.

“London has a bigger population than Wales and Scotland combined, but we have far less control over how taxes are spent and public services are run.

“Giving London the ability to invest more in building crucial new infrastructure and devolving control of business rates will help increase economic growth and improve productivity.

"And granting London greater control over health, criminal justice, skills and back to work programmes will allow us to better improve the life chances of thousands of Londoners.

“However, London did not get everything we needed today. I am disappointed that the Government did not use the opportunity to fully fund our police force or pledge their support for Crossrail 2.

“And businesses across the capital still face a clear and present danger to their future as a result of business rates increases despite the proposals outlined by the Chancellor today.”