91Èȱ¬

London has come a long way since Croydon became the first borough to be granted fairtrade status in early 2003. Today there are 16 fairtrade boroughs – only one away from London being granted fairtrade status.

Cardiff, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Leeds and Ipswich are already Fairtrade cities.

Hannah Reed from the Fairtrade Foundation, which awards fairtrade status to boroughs, told 91Èȱ¬ London: "All eyes are on London. People watch us and they want to see what the city's doing, whether it's congestion charging or fashion.

"If we as a city step out and say we want trade to be fairer, that sends a huge message."

Why go fairtrade?

Among the major fairtrade business in Newham are the Tate & Lyle sugar factory on the banks of the Thames, which recently turned all its retail sugar production fairtrade, and the Union Hand Roasted coffee company.

Newham Councillor Neil Wilson

As a condition of being granted fairtrade status, Newham Council has pledged to serve fairtrade tea and coffee at all council meetings and support local businesses.

"From a borough perspective we have a duty for the economic well-being of our population, but to extend that duty to the world community," said Newham Councillor Neil Wilson.

Not on board

A few London councils are not supporting the Fairtrade Borough scheme, including Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, and Wandsworth.

Both Westminster and Wandsworth councils say that ethical purchasing should be a personal decision for individuals and businesses, not one encouraged by the council.

Fairtrade coffee, tea and chocolate

A spokesperson for Wandsworth Council told 91Èȱ¬ London: "We are broadly supportive of the aims of the Fair Trade movement, but do not believe it is the council's job to tell people what sort of tea and coffee they should drink.

"People can already buy fair trade products in a wide variety of shops, including most supermarkets.

"Presumably this is because they are popular with consumers, so the fair trade message is already getting across to people and is well understood. They do not need the council to tell them this."

Watch the television report about fairtrade in London by clicking on the video link above.

angela.saini@bbc.co.uk