Tories: Scrap the London Assembly

Senior Tories today called for the London Assembly to be abolished to save cash and give more power to boroughs.

Instead of the 25 Assembly Members, who scrutinise City Hall policies, carry out investigations and amend the Mayor's annual budget, Boris Johnson would be questioned by council leaders.

Tories say this would save more than £8million in salaries for the members, research staff and secretaries as well as running costs.

It follows a pledge by Tory leader David Cameron to cut the cost of politics by reducing the number of MPs by 10 per cent as well as the Government office for London.

Hammersmith and Fulham leader, Stephen Greenhalgh, who served on the Mayor's forensic audit panel into the finances of the Greater London Authority, said: "It makes no sense for Londoners to be shelling out £8.6million on people we don't need."

But the chairman of the Assembly and Green Party member, Darren Johnson, said: "You need a full-time Assembly to hold the Mayor to account."

Mr Cameron's spokesman said: "We have no set plans but we are in favour of devolution and giving more power to the boroughs."