Your article (Cost outweighs benefits', January 17) reports the attack by the London Assembly and Barnet councillors on my proposed budget for 2002/2003. But although the article highlighted some of my proposals, it failed to put the precept increase into context.

My first budget cost Londoners £152 a year (Band D). The bulk of this went towards paying for the police and fire services as well as transport in the capital. Through this budget I funded the recruitment of an extra 1,000 police officers, as well as delivered a vast improvement and expansion in bus services with 1,700 more buses in service this year.

But to build on this success and to recruit even more police and see further improvements in London's transport system, an increase in the GLA precept is my only option.

However, last week the London Assembly proposed massive cuts to my budget. Plans which I have outlined above as well as road maintenance, bus services and better door-to-door services for disabled people, are all at risk if the assembly gets its way.

Ken Livingstone

Mayor of London