The London Assembly has criticised local authorities for failing to provide a more co-ordinated response to help people recover from last year's riots.

A report published by the assembly's budget and performance committee on 30 October claims more should have been done to speed up compensation payments and get businesses open again. ‘Charities such as the High Street Fund did a fantastic job providing a lifeline for traders, but the mayor and local authorities could have provided more information and co-ordination,' said committee chair, John Biggs.