Sadiq Khan has become one of Britain’s most recognisable politicians. As London’s mayor since 2016, the 55-year-old has broken records, sparked debates and shaped the direction of one of the world’s most influential cities. Now serving an unprecedented third term, Khan faces fresh challenges whilst defending his record on housing, crime and air quality.
Recent weeks have thrust Khan back into the headlines. From allegations surrounding grooming gangs to ambitious housing reforms, the mayor’s tenure continues to generate both praise and fierce criticism across the political spectrum.
A Historic Third Term
Khan made history in May 2024 when he secured a third consecutive term as London’s mayor, becoming the first person to achieve this feat since the position was created in 2000. The Labour politician won with 43.8% of the vote, defeating Conservative candidate Susan Hall by more than 276,000 votes. His victory represented a swing of 3.2% to Labour and cemented his position as the holder of Britain’s largest individual political mandate.
The election took place under a new first-past-the-post system rather than the previous supplementary vote arrangement. More than 2.4 million votes were cast, reflecting a turnout of 42.8%. Khan won nine of the fourteen constituencies, including two gains from the Conservatives.
Speaking after his victory at City Hall in east London, Khan said it was “the honour of my life to serve the city that I love”. He added that it had been “a difficult few months” but expressed humility at being given another mandate by Londoners.
The result came amid a broader Labour surge across England, with the party winning eleven of the twelve metro mayor positions. It dealt another damaging blow to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party ahead of the general election that would follow months later.
Grooming Gang Allegations Spark Fury
October 2025 has seen Khan embroiled in one of the most serious controversies of his tenure. The mayor faces mounting accusations that he presided over a cover-up of child grooming gangs operating in London.
Earlier in 2025, Khan insisted there were “no indications” and “no reports” of grooming gangs in the capital. However, the Metropolitan Police is now reassessing 9,000 historical cases and has indicated they are engaged in “multiple active investigations” after numerous victims came forward.
Chris Philp, the Shadow Home Secretary, accused Khan of wilfully ignoring the escalating issue. He remarked that “this disclosure regarding the Met police’s reassessment of 9,000 grooming gang cases clearly indicates that Labour and Sadiq Khan are enabling a cover-up”.
Susan Hall, the Conservative leader of the London Assembly who challenged Khan in the mayoral election, has persistently brought this matter to his attention. She expressed disbelief that London would be the only area in the country without such gangs, stating it was “utterly scandalous that Sadiq Khan does not take this issue seriously”.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has also weighed in, telling the Daily Express that Khan is “failing rape gang victims” in what could be the “last great grooming scandal to be uncovered”. Farage claimed that social services in London have candidly acknowledged grooming gangs exist in the area, despite public denials.
A spokesperson for Khan stated that the mayor finds the exploitation of children “completely unacceptable” and desires justice for “each and every victim”. They emphasised that the Metropolitan Police would “leave no stone unturned” in their investigation of child sexual exploitation.
The controversy has prompted Scotland Yard to announce it will review 9,000 instances of child sexual exploitation spanning fifteen years. This move was prompted by a national examination into group-oriented child exploitation that indicated the issue is more prevalent and organised than previously recognised.
Housing Revolution: Cutting Red Tape or Lowering Standards?
Khan secured major housing policy victories in October 2025, though not without controversy. The government and the mayor reached an agreement to slash the requirement for affordable housing in new construction projects from 35% to 20%.
City Hall indicated this adjustment aims to expedite planning decisions, motivate developers and increase housing availability. Developers who commit to incorporating 20% affordable housing will benefit from a streamlined application process.
The mayor has also been granted enhanced planning authority and financial resources. City Hall can now engage in planning applications involving over 50 homes that were previously declined by local borough councils, expanding from the current threshold of 150 homes. A new £322 million City Hall Developer Investment Fund has also been established to stimulate developer activity.
On 22 October 2025, the government announced it would hand the mayor new powers to review and call-in housing schemes of 50 homes or more. This streamlined approach will also allow Khan to expedite the call-in process in certain cases without the need for a full hearing process, cutting up to six months from the planning process.
The government confirmed an initial £322 million to establish a City Hall Developer Investment Fund to ensure the mayor can further increase housebuilding. This comes on top of the previously announced £39 billion for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme, of which the Greater London Authority will receive up to £11.7 billion.
These measures are designed to help the government deliver its mission to build 1.5 million homes and the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation.
Critics have questioned whether lowering the affordable housing quota undermines Khan’s commitment to tackling London’s housing crisis. In 2016, the mayor highlighted the need for London to construct approximately 66,000 new homes annually to fulfil demand, with over half needing to be affordable. Shortly after assuming office, he faced criticism for “diluting” this commitment when he announced plans to permit private developers to limit affordable housing in new constructions to 35%.
Crime Figures Fuel Political Battle
Khan has faced ongoing attacks over crime in London, including from former US President Donald Trump, who claimed earlier this year that “crime in London is through the roof”. The mayor has hit back with new statistics showing violent crime has fallen across the capital.
Data from City Hall comparing the year ending in August 2025 with the previous year indicated a reduction of nearly 9,000 crimes resulting in injuries, representing a decrease of almost 12%. Violent crime leading to injury fell in all 32 London boroughs.
Khan emphasised that “the evidence is clear” regarding the effectiveness of the current crime-fighting strategy. He noted that officers are apprehending an additional 1,000 suspects each month, and initiatives led by London’s Violence Reduction Unit have created over 450,000 positive opportunities to steer young people away from violence.
London recorded the fewest homicides this year since monthly records began in 2003. There were also 1,154 fewer knife crime offences in the twelve months to August 2025 in London, a seven per cent drop. Last year saw the lowest number of homicides of under-25s for more than two decades.
However, critics point to increases in other crime categories. Office for National Statistics data shows many crime categories have risen since 2015, including personal robbery, possession of weapons, sexual offences and theft from individuals. Reform UK Assembly Member Alex Wilson stated that “the long-term patterns under Sadiq Khan are unmistakable: knife crime is up, theft is rising, shoplifting is increasing”.
On 27 October 2025, Khan announced a landmark agreement between his Violence Reduction Unit and all sixteen professional football clubs in London. The VRU will allocate £6 million towards initiatives such as after-school programmes and holiday events organised by these clubs. Khan said the partnership would “divert young people to positive, constructive things, rather than violence and gangs”.
ULEZ: The Policy That Defined a Term
Few policies have been as controversial or politically significant as Khan’s expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone across all London boroughs on 29 August 2023. The scheme charges drivers of non-compliant vehicles £12.50 per day to drive within the zone.
Key findings from the London-wide ULEZ One Year Report indicate the scheme has been highly effective at reducing older, more polluting vehicles. The number of non-compliant vehicles seen driving in London on an average day has been cut by 58% since June 2023. Nearly 97% of vehicles seen driving in London now meet the ULEZ emission standards, up from just 39% in 2017.
Pollutant emissions in 2024 are dramatically lower than expected without the expansion. Nitrogen oxide emissions from cars and vans in outer London are 13% and 16% lower respectively than would have been expected without the London-wide expansion. Particulate matter exhaust emissions from cars and vans in outer London are estimated to be 31% lower, equating to a saving of 9.1 tonnes in 2024.
However, enforcement remains a challenge. On 28 October 2025, reports revealed that 2.9 million ULEZ penalties remain unpaid across the capital. Transport for London launched tougher action against rule breakers as millions continue to refuse payment. The London Assembly has urged Khan to pursue a more vigorous collection strategy, with over £370 million remaining unpaid in penalty charge notices.
Some boroughs have reported no overall drop in pollution levels following the expansion. Bromley Council’s report found vehicle pollutants in the partly rural borough actually increased after the charge took effect.
Despite the backlash, Khan’s re-election in May 2024 was seen as a vindication of the policy. Ahead of the vote, Labour leader Keir Starmer had called on Khan to “reflect” on his ULEZ expansion plans after their party lost a parliamentary by-election in Uxbridge. Instead, Khan doubled down, launching a new ten-point climate action plan and winning by a large margin.
Transport Challenges and Immigration Row
Khan found himself at odds with the government in October 2025 over new immigration rules that could affect Transport for London workers. On 10 October, the mayor called on the government to reconsider its immigration rules, which the TSSA transport union said could leave up to 300 TfL employees uncertain about their positions.
In July 2025, the government unveiled modifications to visa regulations, including heightened salary requirements for visa sponsorship and the removal of certain transport positions from the “skilled worker” list. During a session with the London Assembly, Khan remarked that the adjustments had “left TfL staff in a state of uncertainty”. He revealed that the deputy mayor for transport had reached out to the migration minister, advocating for an immediate pause on the new measures.
Khan accused the government of “moving the goalposts” and expressed concern that the regulations would “hinder TfL’s operations”. A TfL spokesperson stated they were working with all affected colleagues to determine if alternative routes to work in the UK were available.
Economic Vision: The London Growth Plan
In February 2025, Khan launched an ambitious London Growth Plan developed in collaboration with London Councils. The plan aims to restore productivity growth to an average of 2% per year over the next decade, making London’s economy £107 billion larger in 2035.
The strategy is designed to help create over 150,000 good jobs by 2028. It sets out how London will invest further in key priorities from housing and infrastructure to skills and transport to collectively drive the productivity and growth needed to increase wages and living standards.
The plan emphasizes elevating the productivity growth rate to 2% annually, up from the current 0.12%, by 2035. This increase is anticipated to generate an additional £27 billion in tax revenue for the Treasury, which Khan’s office believes will lead to improved wages, enhanced living standards and greater investment in public services.
Twenty per cent of the lowest-income Londoners are projected to see a 20% improvement in their financial situation after accounting for housing expenses. During the announcement at Imperial College, Khan stated the “growth plan presents a remarkable opportunity to accelerate growth and realise London’s complete potential”.
Conservative critics at City Hall have accused the mayor of stifling economic aspirations in London and expressed scepticism regarding the projections. They point to ongoing challenges including a sluggish post-Brexit recovery and changing work patterns that have reduced footfall in central London.
Climate Leadership on the Global Stage
Khan has positioned himself as a global climate leader. In June 2025, he was appointed Special Envoy for Fossil Free Cities for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. The role aims to accelerate the global transition away from fossil fuels and amplify the voice of cities in the fight against climate change.
As Special Envoy, Khan champions the role of cities and subnational governments in shaping global climate policies, ensuring they have a seat at the table. Over 135 cities and subnational governments, including London, California and seventeen national capitals, have already endorsed the Fossil Fuel Treaty proposal.
Khan is also co-chair of C40 Cities, a network of mayors of nearly one hundred world-leading cities collaborating to deliver the urgent action needed to confront the climate crisis. Through this role, he has helped cities worldwide cut ties with fossil fuels and share solutions.
The mayor has set a target for London to be net zero carbon by 2030. He has selected a preferred pathway called the Accelerated Green pathway to achieve this ambitious goal. The strategy includes insulating over 2 million homes, installing 2.2 million heat pumps, slashing car use and ending the sale of fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
Khan led efforts to divest £10 billion in pension assets from fossil fuels and boost green investments. London now has the most electric buses of any city in Western Europe. The mayor has dramatically expanded bike lanes and electric vehicle charging points, moved to divest the city’s pension funds from fossil fuels and planted half a million trees.
Cultural Celebrations: Diwali and Diversity
Khan has championed London’s diversity throughout his tenure. On 12 October 2025, Trafalgar Square hosted the annual Diwali on the Square celebration. Thousands gathered for the free event, which ran from 2pm to 8pm.
The day featured a colourful opening dance sequence with 200 dazzling dancers and a main stage showcasing music, dance and performances from London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities. Family-friendly activities included sari and turban tying, yoga, meditation, puppet shows and dance workshops. A bustling market and food stalls offered vegetarian and vegan treats.
Khan shared glimpses of the celebrations on social media, expressing his pride. “Thank you to everyone who joined us to share in the spirit of Diwali on Trafalgar Square today and celebrate the triumph of light over darkness,” he wrote. “I wish a very happy Diwali to London’s Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities”.
The mayor noted that London hosts “one of the biggest celebrations of the festival of lights outside of India”. A viral video from the event showed waves of people dancing and cheering in one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Police Funding Pressures
Despite Khan’s record £1.16 billion investment in the Metropolitan Police for 2025-26, the force faces a £260 million budget shortfall. The government pledged an extra £118 million for the Met, whilst Khan committed an additional £10 million.
The Met has been forced to make “significant tough decisions” which will include cuts to both personnel and services. The force projected it would need to reduce its workforce despite the funding increase.
Among the proposed cuts are disbanding the Royal Parks Police, eliminating officers stationed in schools, implementing a 10% reduction in forensics, cutting 11% from historic crime units, reducing mounted police operations by 25% and slashing dog unit funding by 7%. Front counter services will also see limited hours, with only 27 locations remaining open across the capital.
Khan has attributed the funding crisis to the previous Conservative government, asserting that the Metropolitan Police is “chronically underfunded”. He stated that cuts to policing in London represent a real-term loss exceeding £1.1 billion over fourteen years.
However, the mayor’s investment has helped protect over 935 neighbourhood policing positions. Since 2016, Khan has doubled the funding the Metropolitan Police receives from City Hall, taking it from 19% of the Met’s total budget to 25%.
From Tooting to City Hall: The Khan Story
Born on 8 October 1970 at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, Khan grew up on the Henry Prince Estate in Earlsfield, south-west London. His parents moved to London from Pakistan shortly before his birth. He was the fifth of eight children in a working-class family.
Khan’s father drove a London bus whilst his mother worked at home sewing clothing. The family lived in a three-bedroom public housing apartment, and Khan has spoken about how they were often the target of racial abuse growing up.
He attended state schools in Tooting before studying law at the University of North London. In 1994, Khan qualified as a solicitor and specialised in human rights law. He often launched cases against the police and government departments.
That same year, he was elected as a local Labour Party councillor in the London Borough of Wandsworth. Khan joined the Labour Party at age fifteen.
In 2005, Khan was elected as the Member of Parliament for Tooting. He gave up his legal career because he felt he “could make a bigger difference to people’s lives working in politics”. He served as Minister of State for Communities in 2008 and later became Minister of State for Transport, becoming the first Muslim and first Asian to attend Cabinet.
When Khan was first elected mayor in 2016, he became the first Muslim mayor of a Western capital city. His victory came after a campaign marred by accusations that his Conservative opponent Zac Goldsmith had run an Islamophobic campaign. Senior Muslim figures within the Conservative Party supported the accusations, whilst the Muslim Council of Britain described Goldsmith’s campaign as “dog whistle anti-Muslim racism”.
Looking Ahead: The 2030 Vision
Khan has set ambitious targets for London by 2030. Beyond the net zero carbon goal, the mayor aims to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2030. He has secured £17 million in capital funding from central government for his strategy, on top of a record £10 million he announced in January 2025.
According to the Trust for London, the number of people sleeping rough in London was almost 12,000 in 2023-24, a threefold increase from 2008-09. Khan’s plan focuses on “prevention and increasing the availability of rapid, sustainable routes away from the streets”.
The mayor has also committed to working with London’s boroughs to build 40,000 new council homes by 2030. Council homebuilding under Khan has hit a higher level than at any time since the 1970s, with last year’s output more than double the rest of the country combined.
Infrastructure investments remain a priority. The 2025 London Infrastructure Framework identifies three priority enhancement projects: Crossrail 2, the Bakerloo line extension and West London Orbital. Along with plans for ‘Metroisation’ of suburban rail services, these projects have the potential to unlock at least 100,000 homes and a similar number of jobs.
A Mayor Under Pressure
As Khan navigates the final years of his third term, he faces pressure from multiple directions. The grooming gang allegations represent perhaps the most serious reputational challenge of his tenure. Critics question whether his administration has been transparent about the scale of child exploitation in London.
Housing policy remains contentious. Whilst Khan points to record levels of council house construction, the decision to lower affordable housing requirements from 35% to 20% has drawn criticism from housing campaigners who fear it undermines his original commitments.
The ULEZ expansion, whilst supported by environmental campaigners and backed by voters in the mayoral election, continues to face enforcement challenges. With millions in fines unpaid, questions remain about the scheme’s long-term financial sustainability.
Crime statistics show improvement in some areas but increases in others. Whilst homicides and knife crime with injury have fallen, theft, sexual offences and other categories have risen. The Metropolitan Police’s budget pressures threaten to undermine further progress.
Khan’s supporters point to his record on transport, with frozen fares providing relief to millions of commuters during a cost-of-living crisis. Free school meals for all state primary school pupils represent a significant achievement. His leadership on climate change has won international recognition.
His critics argue he has failed to tackle London’s most pressing problems. They point to rising crime in some categories, ongoing housing shortages and a transport system still struggling to recover from pandemic losses. The Conservative opposition maintains Khan has been too focused on “virtue signalling” on issues like climate change rather than addressing day-to-day concerns.
The Road Ahead
With potentially another five years in office beyond 2025, Khan has time to shape his legacy. The success or failure of his 2030 targets on net zero carbon, rough sleeping and council housing will define how history judges his tenure.
The grooming gang controversy could either be resolved through thorough investigation and justice for victims, or it could become a lasting stain on his record. Housing delivery will be measured not just in total numbers but in genuine affordability and accessibility for ordinary Londoners.
Crime trends will continue to be scrutinised, with the success of the Violence Reduction Unit’s partnership with football clubs potentially offering a model for other cities. Transport challenges persist, including the need for sustained investment in infrastructure and resolution of ongoing industrial disputes.
Khan’s international profile as a climate leader gives London a prominent voice on the global stage. Whether this translates into tangible benefits for Londoners remains to be seen. The economic growth plan’s ambitious targets will be tested against the reality of post-Brexit Britain and a global economy facing multiple challenges.
What seems certain is that Khan will remain one of Britain’s most influential and controversial political figures. As the only mayor to win three terms, he has already secured his place in London’s history. Whether that legacy is ultimately judged as success or failure may not be clear for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sadiq Khan and how long has he been London’s mayor?
Sadiq Khan is the current Mayor of London, serving since May 2016. He made history in May 2024 by becoming the first person elected to three consecutive terms as mayor since the position was created in 2000. Born in London in 1970 to Pakistani immigrant parents, Khan was previously a human rights lawyer and served as the Member of Parliament for Tooting from 2005 to 2016. He became the first Muslim mayor of a major Western capital when first elected.
What is the ULEZ and why is it controversial?
The Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is London’s clean air scheme that charges drivers of older, more polluting vehicles £12.50 per day to drive in the city. Khan expanded it to cover all London boroughs in August 2023. Whilst data shows it has cut the number of non-compliant vehicles by 58% and significantly reduced air pollution, it remains controversial due to the financial burden on some drivers. As of October 2025, approximately 2.9 million ULEZ penalties remain unpaid, totalling over £370 million.
What are the recent allegations about grooming gangs in London?
In October 2025, Khan faced serious accusations of presiding over a cover-up of child grooming gangs in London. Earlier in the year, he stated there were no indications of such gangs in the capital, but the Metropolitan Police is now reassessing 9,000 historical cases of child sexual exploitation. Opposition politicians, including Nigel Farage and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, have accused Khan and the Met of denial and cover-up. Khan’s spokesperson states the mayor wants justice for every victim and that police will leave no stone unturned in their investigations.
What has changed with London’s housing policy under Khan?
In October 2025, Khan reached an agreement with the government to reduce the affordable housing requirement in new developments from 35% to 20% in an effort to speed up construction. The mayor has also been granted new powers to intervene in planning applications for developments of 50 or more homes, down from 150. Khan has committed to building 40,000 new council homes by 2030 and has overseen council house construction at levels not seen since the 1970s. However, critics argue the lower affordable housing quota undermines his original commitments to tackle London’s housing crisis.
What are Khan’s main achievements and future plans?
Khan’s key achievements include introducing free school meals for all state primary school pupils, freezing transport fares five times, record investment in police and youth services, expanding the ULEZ to improve air quality, and delivering record numbers of affordable homes. His future plans include making London net zero carbon by 2030, ending rough sleeping by 2030, building 40,000 council homes by 2030, and implementing the London Growth Plan to boost the economy by £107 billion by 2035. He has also launched a partnership between his Violence Reduction Unit and all sixteen London football clubs to tackle youth violence.
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