Havering’s Future: Stay with London or Join Greater Essex?

The Havering Daily looks at the Pros and Cons of both leaving or staying in London.

Havering, an East London borough with around 259,552 residents, is at the heart of a lively debate: should it stay with the Greater London Authority (GLA) or join a proposed “Greater Essex” region?

A Havering Daily poll on Facebook showed 68% of over 1,500 residents support leaving the GLA for Essex, dubbed “Hexit”. No decision is on the table, but voices like Romford MP Andrew Rosindell argue Havering is “stuck under City Hall”, paying heavily with little return.

To help you join the conversation, we’ve outlined the pros and cons, focusing on money, transport, healthcare, policing, education, housing, and local identity.

Why the Debate?

Havering, covering 43 square miles, was part of Essex until it joined Greater London in 1965. Many residents still feel Essex pride, with poll comments like, “We were Essex, we still feel like Essex”. Rosindell claims Havering’s £600 per household GLA precept subsidises inner London, leaving the borough short-changed.

This article explores both sides to inform your view.

Staying with the Greater London Authority

Pros of Staying with the GLA

Big Funding for Local Projects

The GLA provides grants like £1.6 million in February 2025 for Havering’s “A Good Life” Cultural Strategy, boosting arts and community events. This funding supports local growth and might be harder to replace in Greater Essex.

Affordable Transport to London

Havering has decent transport links via TfL, with five District Line stations (Elm Park, Hornchurch, Upminster, Upminster Bridge, Dagenham East), Elizabeth Line stations (Romford, Gidea Park, Harold Wood), and c2c rail at Rainham and Upminster. Pensioners get the Freedom Pass for free travel across London, despite Havering’s £8 million contribution. This helps the 30% of residents commuting to London for work (2021 census).

Access to Local and London Healthcare

Residents rely on Queen’s Hospital in Romford and King George Hospital in Ilford, with easy access to London’s specialist centres. The GLA’s integrated GP network ensures quick referrals, vital for Havering’s 259,552 residents.

Stable Local Services

Havering’s schools, nurseries, and social housing benefit from London’s systems. School admissions for 36,000 pupils are streamlined, and the GLA helps manage demand for 4,000 households on Havering’s social housing waiting list.

Cons of Staying with the GLA

Policies Not Suited to Havering

London-wide rules like ULEZ hit Havering’s car-reliant residents hard, as some areas lack nearby Tube or rail stations, making compliance costly.

Less Local Control

Decisions on housing and transport are often made by the Mayor of London, feeling distant from Havering’s suburban needs. Rosindell argues the £600 GLA precept gives little back.

Higher Living Costs

Housing in Havering is pricier than in much of Essex, making it harder for young families and first-time buyers.

Uneven Transport Coverage

While Havering has good radial links to London, northern areas lack Tube or rail stations, relying on buses, which can mean longer, costlier commutes.

Joining Greater Essex

Pros of Joining Greater Essex

Restoring Essex Identity

Havering’s Essex history, including the Royal Liberty of Havering, fuels local pride. The poll’s 68% support shows many want to reclaim this identity.

Lower Council Taxes

Some Essex areas have cheaper taxes. A Band D property in Havering pays £2,313.55 a year, while in Epping Forest, it’s £2,186.69—a saving of £126.86 annually, or £10.50 a month, enough for a small bill.

More Local Decision-Making

A Greater Essex authority, planned for May 2026, could give Havering more say over housing, education, and services, free from London’s rules.

Cheaper Housing Options

Homes in Essex, like Chelmsford or Colchester, are more affordable, offering bigger properties for less money.

Cons of Joining Greater Essex

Higher Travel Costs to London

Leaving the GLA would end TfL benefits, including the Freedom Pass. Commuters (30% of residents) would face train fares from Romford to Liverpool Street, costing £5-£10 per trip, potentially hundreds a year, hitting pensioners and low-income residents hard.

Potential Healthcare Challenges

Havering residents use Queen’s Hospital, but joining Greater Essex might align it with the Mid and South Essex ICS, requiring travel to Basildon Hospital (20 miles, 50-70 minutes by bus via A127, with stops in Upminster) or Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford (30 miles, 60-80 minutes via A12). Essex’s less integrated transport could raise costs, and GP networks might face delays during transition.

Pressure on Essex Police

Essex Police’s £366 million 2025/26 budget serves 1.8 million people. Adding Havering’s 259,552 residents could strain resources, requiring new stations or officers, potentially raising taxes or cutting services, unlike the Met Police’s London-wide funding.

Disrupted Local Services

Essex’s systems for school admissions, nurseries, and social housing differ. Havering’s 36,000 pupils could face new criteria, causing delays. The 4,000 households on the social housing waiting list might see increased pressure under Essex’s less-funded system.

What Residents Are Saying

Our poll’s 68% support for Hexit shows strong Essex pride, with social media posts saying Havering “never made sense” in London and many using “Essex” in addresses. Rosindell highlights inadequate policing and high GLA costs. But some residents worry about losing TfL’s Freedom Pass or facing new fares, with one post warning it could hit commuters hard. Local issues like fly-tipping also fuel discontent, suggesting a desire for change.

What’s at Stake?

This is about exploring Havering’s future. Staying with the GLA ensures funding, affordable transport for the 30% working in London, and access to Queen’s Hospital. But the £600 GLA precept and ULEZ feel unfair to many. Joining Greater Essex could save £126.86 a year on council tax and boost Essex pride, but new travel costs, potential healthcare shifts, policing pressures, and service disruptions could hit hard. Your house stays put, but services like buses, GPs, and schools could change.

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