Sunak calls on Khan to scrap Ulez expansion to all London boroughs
Sadiq Khan should “listen to the public” and scrap the planned expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to all of London, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.
Sunak said during Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) today that it is the “overwhelming” view of London residents that the levy should not be expanded.
Ulez will extend to every London borough from August next year, which will mean a daily charge of £12.50 for non-complying vehicles.
The zone currently spans from the North to South Circular roads, with City Hall reports showing that the scheme has led to less air pollution in the affected areas.
However, a poll out last month from YouGov found that 51 per cent of Londoners did not want Ulez expanded any further.
“Transport in London is devolved to the Labour mayor of London, but it is disappointing the mayor, backed by the leader of the opposition, is choosing not to listen to the public,” Sunak told MPs.
“The zone is being expanded against the overwhelming views of residents and businesses. I would urge the mayor and [Sir Keir Starmer] to be on the side of hard working Londoners.”
Current Ulez requirements force people to either drive in a vehicle that meets certain environmental standards or pay the daily toll.
The scheme has generated around £100m in revenue over the past year.
Ulez is one of Khan’s signature policies, with the London mayor saying previously that his asthma made the push personal.
A spokesperson for the mayor said: “Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year due to the toxic air in our city with the greatest number of deaths attributable to air pollution in London’s outer boroughs, which the ULEZ doesn’t currently cover.
“Children across London are growing up with stunted lungs while adults have greater risk of heart disease, dementia and other serious illnesses.
“The mayor does not apologise for taking the difficult decision to expand the Ulez in order to tackle this toxic air crisis, which the Chief Medical Officer said was a life-long health issue just last week.”