Sadiq Khan gives business ‘speed dating’ agency the kiss of life as City Hall tackles financial crisis

• City Hall will allocate £12m to protect specialist staff at London & Partners despite a £19.2m funding shortfall

• The decision has drawn political criticism, with City Hall Conservatives calling London & Partners a budget “drain” and mocking its business-investor “speed dating” events

• The GLA faces broader financial pressures, including the loss of post-Brexit government funding, potential reduced stadium income if West Ham are relegated, and the cost of relocating staff