Hopes were high. Delivery was mixed. The government’s first major Spending Review under Labour was published this week — a defining moment that promised to set the tone for the next five years of investment.
With Labour now in charge at every level — nationally, at City Hall, across the GLA, at Wandsworth Council and with a Labour MP — residents in Putney were right to expect bold, joined-up commitments. From long-delayed infrastructure projects to struggling schools, this was the best opportunity in a generation to secure much-needed support for the area.
But the results? Patchy at best. After reviewing more than 200 pages of documents across government departments, here’s how Putney fared — using the nine-point framework we laid out ahead of the review.
1. Hammersmith Bridge – still no funding, still no progress
Not a single mention. Despite being a shovel-ready project critical to relieving congestion in Putney, Hammersmith Bridge has again been passed over. There’s no line in the Department for Transport (DfT) capital budget and no reference in the infrastructure strategy.
Score: 0/10
2. Transport investment – flexibility without guarantees
The good news: TfL has received an “integrated settlement” with more long-term flexibility. The bad news? There’s no specific commitment to East Putney’s long-overdue step-free access or better bus provision for Roehampton.
Score: 5/10
3. Local Government – no cuts, no cushion
Wandsworth Council faces growing debt from housing investment. The Spending Review keeps funding stable, but offers no direct relief for high-borrowing boroughs. Councils are expected to find “efficiency savings” instead.
Score: 4/10
4. Housing – strong rhetoric, thin on detail
The government confirmed continued investment in affordable housing and shifted towards place-based delivery. But there’s no specific funding for Wandsworth, and nothing yet for long-awaited estate upgrades like Alton.
Score: 6/10
5. Police funding – no clarity for the Met
Amid rising crime in Putney, the Spending Review offers no specific detail on Metropolitan Police funding. Home Office allocations are vague and provide no reassurance on officer numbers or neighbourhood policing in London.
Score: 2/10
6. SEND education – recognition without rescue
Wandsworth faces a £21 million SEND deficit. While the government has pledged to reform EHCP systems and increase funding modestly, there’s no emergency package or safety net for councils in crisis.
Score: 4/10
7. High Street regeneration – left behind again
Putney High Street has dozens of vacant shops, yet there’s no new high street fund, no reform of business rates, and no mention of powers to deal with absentee landlords. This crucial issue remains neglected.
Score: 3/10
8. Climate and infrastructure – direction of travel improves
The updated Green Book promises fairer investment rules for climate projects, and £9bn has been allocated for national insulation and renewables. But local mechanisms remain unclear, and Putney’s own flood resilience and retrofit needs are not addressed directly.
Score: 6/10
9. Cross-cutting changes – empowering but indirect
A quiet win: new rules will require government to publish business cases for major projects, improving transparency. There’s also support for more local autonomy in funding — which could help boroughs shape their own destiny.
Score: 7/10
Final score for Putney: 4/10
The verdict? There are signs of a better funding framework emerging — particularly around housing, local control and long-term infrastructure. But the absence of direct, visible commitments to the issues Putney residents face daily — from bridge traffic and station access to safety and special needs schooling — is a serious letdown.
Most glaring omission: Hammersmith Bridge — a national embarrassment and a daily local frustration — remains unfunded.
Most promising development: The move towards place-based funding and greater transparency could pay off, if local leaders seize the opportunity.
What Happens Next?
The review sets the baseline. Budgets and departmental plans will now follow — and local councils, GLA members and MPs will need to fight hard to make sure Putney’s priorities are not overlooked again.
Because if this is what full Labour alignment delivers, voters may start asking what difference it really makes.
