City Hall is facing scrutiny over the transparency of international travel arrangements, particularly regarding Mayor Sadiq Khan’s trips. The Greater London Authority (GLA) Oversight Committee, led by Conservative London Assembly member Emma Best, has raised concerns about the limited details in records of international trips taken by the mayor and GLA staff.

A particular point of contention involves a trip to the USA in May 2022, where Mayor Khan and his team had their flight costs covered by United Airlines. The trip, aimed at promoting London tourism and business opportunities, included business class flights from London to various U.S. cities. The GLA only paid for taxes and fees, raising questions about the nature of this arrangement.

The Oversight Committee has requested the publication of the partnership agreement with United Airlines. However, the mayor’s team has responded that it wasn’t a “formal partnership.” The committee emphasized the need for explicit guidance on how external sponsorships should influence business trip proposals and the importance of transparency regarding what sponsors receive in return.

Additionally, the committee highlighted inconsistencies in how the GLA keeps records of domestic and international trips, calling for improvements in data collection, analysis, and publication. They also expressed concerns about the GLA’s carbon offsetting processes, noting that some trips paid for and booked by external organizations might not be included in the city’s carbon offsetting efforts.

In response, a spokesperson for Mayor Khan defended the U.S. trip, emphasizing its role in promoting London and noting that the arrangement with United Airlines was a one-off agreement to reduce costs and did not result in a formal partnership. Mayor Khan’s recent visit to New York in September for business meetings and a UN climate summit was also mentioned.

The issue highlights the challenges and expectations of transparency and accountability in managing public funds and resources, especially in matters of international relations and environmental responsibility.