Vote Aspire for a proven record and a brighter future
Stronger community. Fairer society. A bold campaign rooted in delivery, local leadership, and a clear vision for the future.
Why this campaign matters
This is a campaign built on action already delivered and a future plan shaped by the needs of residents, families, businesses, women, young people and older people across the borough.
A campaign message that is clear, bold and hopeful
Focused on trust, delivery and a brighter future for local people.
Vote Aspire for a proven record and a brighter future
Stronger community. Fairer society.
Stronger Community
A campaign rooted in safety, public services, youth provision, women’s support, neighbourhood improvement and local pride.
Fairer Society
A future shaped by housing delivery, support for families, educational opportunity, cleaner streets and equal access to services.
A proven record you can point to
The achievements below draw directly from the last 4 years’ achievement material and the Top 40 achievements list.
Homes for the Future
Real housing delivery and direct control over homes and standards.
- 22,000 formerly Tower Hamlets Homes brought back in-house.
- On track to deliver over 6,000 affordable homes by May 2026.
- An additional 3,300 homes on over 40 council-owned sites.
- £609million investing in council-owned homes improvement.
Accelerate Education
Serious investment in students, children and families.
- Over £3.2m invested in supporting 2,400 students with university costs.
- Achieved Outstanding in our Children’s Services OFSTED inspection.
- Over £1.3m invested in supporting over 2,800 students through higher education.
- Invested £4.4m to offer Free School Meals for all Primary and Secondary School Students.
Tackling the Cost-of-Living Crisis
Practical support aimed at protecting households and vulnerable residents.
- Distributed over £10 million in cost-of-living support payments to residents in need.
- Froze Council Tax for all residents in year 1 (2022/2023).
- Invested £1 million a year to reintroduce Meals on Wheels.
- Over 4,000 elderly supported with a £175 winter fuel payment in winter 2024.
Empower Communities to Fight Crime
Strong community safety action backed by real investment.
- £4m to upgrade and install 350 CCTV cameras across the borough.
- £3.7million being invested in 100 new estate cameras across 26 estates.
- Over £3.3m to directly fund 24 additional police officers.
- 3000+ weapons deposited in amnesty boxes across the borough.
Top achievements that show scale, seriousness and delivery
From housing and education to public services, recycling, youth provision, women’s support, community safety and leisure, Aspire’s record is broad, practical and measurable.
This is not a campaign built on promises alone. It is built on an already proven record.
A brighter future built on practical priorities
A homepage summary of the policy direction already reflected in the campaign material.
Support families and protect residents
Continue a practical approach to household support, care, access to services and help for vulnerable residents.
- Cost-of-living support payments
- Meals on Wheels and free homecare
- Residents hubs and accessible services
- Low-cost burial provision and community support
Build homes, opportunity and stronger public services
Keep delivering housing, invest in youth, education and public services, and improve long-term life chances.
- Affordable homes and improved council homes
- University bursaries and education support
- Free school meals and free school uniforms
- Youth centres, women’s centres and local grants
Create cleaner, safer and more confident neighbourhoods
Build a borough that feels safer, cleaner, greener and better connected to work, business and leisure.
- CCTV investment and enforcement capacity
- Waste, recycling and EV investment
- Support for business, culture and leisure
- Free parking support and apprenticeship pathways
Support that reflects trust and confidence
These endorsement themes come directly from your uploaded endorsement material.
I ADMIRE AND VALUE LUTFUR’S MAYORAL WORK
“Lutfur and his team have my full support and admiration, and I am confident that the people of Tower Hamlets will recognise this at the elections next May. Lutfur and Aspire are a clear example of what is possible when local government prioritises social justice—through sustained investment in affordable housing, youth services, and targeted support for low-income and elderly residents.”
Jeremy Corbyn MP Former Leader of the Labour PartyREAL PROGRESS FOR WOMEN THROUGH KEY INITIATIVES
“I am proud of the positive change delivered by the Aspire administration. These initiatives have already made a real difference for thousands of women — including new women’s centres, more than 20 youth centres (with dedicated provision for girls), and free swimming for women aged 16 and above.”
Shenaly Miah Tower Hamlets resident and tutor at a local collegeLUTFUR RAHMAN IS A VISIONARY LEADER
“Lutfur is a visionary leader who understands how to plan effectively for ordinary residents. That is why, during his leadership, so many groundbreaking projects were delivered — projects that have made a real and lasting difference to public life.”
Len McCluskey Former General Secretary Unite UnionVolunteer With Us, Share your Voice and Support Aspire
Help build a stronger community and a fairer society. Join the movement, support the campaign, and be part of a brighter future.
A proven record and a brighter future
Vote Aspire for delivery and continuity.
Why Aspire
A campaign built on delivery, practical leadership and real investment in homes, services, safety, education and support for local people.
Proven record
Clear delivery across housing, education, community safety, public services and neighbourhood improvement.
Community first
Policies shaped by the real needs of residents, families, businesses, women, young people and older people.
Continuity with purpose
Protecting progress already made while continuing to build a fairer borough and a brighter future for all.
Leadership with delivery, continuity and trust
Since being elected Mayor in 2022, my priority has been clear: to make Tower Hamlets work for all. After years of damaging austerity from Labour, we restored vital services and took action to support people through the housing crisis and rising living costs.
I believe the council should always be on the side of its community — listening, acting, and supporting residents at every stage of life. Housing has been a top priority. Everyone deserves a decent home, free from overcrowding, and we are committed to building and improving homes that people can truly afford, so families can put down roots and thrive.
Strong public services are the foundation of a fair borough. We are determined to give children and young people the best start in life, to provide all our residents with a good standard of living, and ensure older residents and those with care needs are supported with dignity.
By delivering joined-up services and investing in housing, leisure, waste, youth provision, community spaces, public health, education and SEN and community safety, we are building better, stronger neighbourhoods for all.
I am proud of what we have delivered, and I ask you to continue to put your trust in me and the Aspire team on 7th May 2026.
A proven record of delivery
A premium overview of the current record of delivery across cost-of-living support, housing, education, community safety, public services, business, leisure, environment and council services.
Top achievements that show scale, delivery and continuity
These headline achievement figures sit at the heart of the campaign message and reflect a record of practical delivery across the borough.
TACKLING THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS
- 1Distributed over £10 million in cost-of-living support payments to residents in need.
- 2Froze Council Tax for all residents in year 1 (2022/2023) -Introduced Council Tax Cost-Of-Living Relief Fund for residents earning under £53,350 – meaning these residents do not have to pay any council tax increase
- 3Invested £1 million a year to reintroduce the Meals on Wheels service - serving hot dinners to vulnerable residents 7 days a week.
- 4Over 4,000 elderly supported with a £175 winter fuel payment winter 2024, following the government's decision to cut this support.
HOMES FOR THE FUTURE
- 522,000 formerly Tower Hamlets Homes brought back in-house, to ensure direct control and management by the Council.
- 6On track to deliver over 6,000 affordable homes by May 2026 – the majority family-sized.
- 7An additional 3,300 homes to be delivered as part of Mayor’s Accelerated Housing Programme on over 40 council-owned sites.
- 8Over £134 million spent on Temporary Accommodation to help residents suffering homelessness to remain in or near the borough.
ACCELERATE EDUCATION
- 11Over £3.2m invested in supporting 2,400 students with university costs through the University Bursary Programme, which offers £1500 per student.
- 12Achieved Outstanding in our Children’s Services OFSTED inspection
- 13Over £1.3m invested in supporting over 2,800 students through higher education with the Education Maintenance Allowance - £600 per student
- 15Invested £4.4m to become the first borough in the country to offer Free School Meals for all Primary and Secondary School Students, benefiting 38,000 pupils and saving the average family of 3 children £1,650 a year.
EMPOWER COMMUNITIES TO FIGHT CRIME
- 18£4m to upgrade and install 350 CCTV cameras across the borough and state of the art CCTV monitoring system
- 19£3.7million being invested in 100 new estate cameras across 26 estates, and replacing 363 defunct cameras.
- 20Over £3.3m to directly fund 24 additional police officers and £4m to triple the number of Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers to 72 to keep the borough safe.
- 213000+ weapons deposited in amnesty boxes across the borough
Top 40 Achievements of Aspire and Mayor Lutfur Rahman
Click below to expand and view all 40 achievement points.
TACKLING THE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS
- 1Distributed over £10 million in cost-of-living support payments to residents in need.
- 2Froze Council Tax for all residents in year 1 (2022/2023) -Introduced Council Tax Cost-Of-Living Relief Fund for residents earning under £53,350 – meaning these residents do not have to pay any council tax increase
- 3Invested £1 million a year to reintroduce the Meals on Wheels service - serving hot dinners to vulnerable residents 7 days a week.
- 4Over 4,000 elderly supported with a £175 winter fuel payment winter 2024, following the government's decision to cut this support.
HOMES FOR THE FUTURE
- 522,000 formerly Tower Hamlets Homes brought back in-house, to ensure direct control and management by the Council.
- 6On track to deliver over 6,000 affordable homes by May 2026 – the majority family-sized.
- 7An additional 3,300 homes to be delivered as part of Mayor’s Accelerated Housing Programme on over 40 council-owned sites.
- 8Over £134 million spent on Temporary Accommodation to help residents suffering homelessness to remain in or near the borough.
- 9£609million investing in council-owned homes improvement, including removing damp and mould; fire and building safety; roof and lift repairs and replacements, and improving homes by fitting new kitchen units, windows, doors and bathrooms.
- 10By May 2026, we will have delivered an additional 1,250 car parking spaces across the borough.
ACCELERATE EDUCATION
- 11Over £3.2m invested in supporting 2,400 students with university costs through the University Bursary Programme, which offers £1500 per student.
- 12Achieved Outstanding in our Children’s Services OFSTED inspection
- 13Over £1.3m invested in supporting over 2,800 students through higher education with the Education Maintenance Allowance - £600 per student
- 14Over £2.5m being invested in SEND children provision including £1m in improved transport.
- 15Invested £4.4m to become the first borough in the country to offer Free School Meals for all Primary and Secondary School Students, benefiting 38,000 pupils and saving the average family of 3 children £1,650 a year.
- 16Free School Uniforms for over 7000 pupils in the borough each year: £50 for reception starters and £150 for secondary starters
- 17Invested £800,000 to offer free language classes for young people aged 6-16, teaching heritage languages like Arabic, Bengali, Mandarin, and Somali through our Young Community Languages scheme
EMPOWER COMMUNITIES TO FIGHT CRIME
- 18£4m to upgrade and install 350 CCTV cameras across the borough and state of the art CCTV monitoring system
- 19£3.7million being invested in 100 new estate cameras across 26 estates, and replacing 363 defunct cameras.
- 20Over £3.3m to directly fund 24 additional police officers and £4m to triple the number of Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers to 72 to keep the borough safe.
- 213000+ weapons deposited in amnesty boxes across the borough
- 22Invested £500k to launch a dedicated Drugs Squad with 6 THEOs and 1 team leader. Working on a drug-related treatment centre.
A CLEAN AND GREEN FUTURE
- 23£15m invested in waste services – including 72 additional frontline staff
- 24Over £2m invested in improving recycling in the borough
- 25Over £6.3m invested in installing 2,150 new EV charging points across the borough, exceeding our target by 150 chargers.
INVEST IN PUBLIC SERVICES
- 26£13.7 million a year is being invested to open a youth centre in every ward. 20 are already operating, including Sister Space, a dedicated centre for young women and girls. This funding also provides 75 additional youth workers. To date, 5,632 young people have registered, and more than 5,000 sessions were delivered last year.
- 27Opened a dedicated borough-wide centre for women – the Nari Centre – in Vallance Road.
- 28Invested £5million in free homecare for all who need it.
- 29Reopened five Residents Hubs across the borough to improve access to services.
- 30Burial ground at Eternal Gardens: Continue with the low-cost facility.
BOOST CULTURE, BUSINESS, JOBS & LEISURE
- 31£300,000 free swimming and aquatic sessions for women and girls (16+) and men (55+). Over 20,000 have signed up – 83% of which are women and girls.
- 32Invested £800k in four new play-zones. Five new outdoor gyms in the borough's public spaces.
- 33Over £5 million invested in sports facilities, gyms, and outdoor playgrounds
- 34Over 1,500 residents engaged in over 2,200 training programs through workpath
- 35One-hour free parking introduced to help market traders Additionally, the Permit Transfer Scheme (PTS) has been introduced, allowing one parking permit to be retained even if you move to a car-free zone.
- 36Over £40 million invested in Leisure including bringing leisure services under council management
- 37£67m invested in redeveloping St George’s Leisure Centre and Housing which is on track to be delivered and will deliver 33 family sized council homes.
A COUNCIL THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE
- 38New Town Hall opened in Whitechapel – the beating heart of the borough.
- 39200 – 300 people seen monthly at Mayor’s twice-weekly resident surgeries.
- 40£500,000 invested to reopen Watney Market Idea Store.
110 promises delivered
A proven record of delivery across cost-of-living support, homes, education, youth provision, community safety, public services, business, leisure, environment and local access to council services.
Voices of trust, support and confidence
Community figures, residents, business voices and public figures reflecting confidence in Aspire’s record, leadership and future direction.