What is the GLA?

The Greater London Authority (GLA) is London's regional government. It helps plan for London's future and address issues that affect people across the whole city.

There’s an outline image of London City Hall at Kamal Chunchie Way. The GLA is made up of the Mayor of London and the London Assembly. Equal sized dots represent the Mayor of London and London Assembly members, arranged in the same way as the chamber at City Hall. The Mayor of London is elected to set city wide priorities. There are bubbles with a book, tree, houses and a bus. The London Assembly holds the Mayor to account and is composed of 25 elected assembly members.

The GLA is made up of:

  • The Mayor of London, who sets priorities and makes key decisions for London.
  • The London Assembly, which holds the Mayor to account and scrutinises their work.
The GLA was created by law in 1999 after a 1998 referendum confirmed public support for its creation. Londoners voted in the first Mayor of London and London Assembly elections in 2000. City Hall opened in 2002.
The UK Government gave London more power to make some decisions locally. As part of this, the GLA was set up to provide leadership across the capital.
Some responsibilities previously held by London's borough councils and the City of London were transferred to the GLA. The Mayor was also given greater powers over areas including transport and policing.
The GLA works with organisations, communities and partners across London to help solve city-wide challenges and improve life for Londoners.
GLA staff support both the Mayor and the London Assembly. They are politically impartial and follow the Nolan Principles, which are the standards of conduct expected of people working in public service.

Mechanisms of engagement with the GLA

On the London Gov website you can

  • Contact City Hall or the Mayor and his team​
  • London Assembly petitions​
  • Questions to the Mayor ​
  • London Assembly public meetings ​
  • Motions from the London Assembly ​

You can also join Talk London to

  • Share your views and vision for London​
  • Represent your community and age group​
  • Help us build a fairer, safer, greener London
     

 

Bitesize video: What is the Greater London Authority?