The Liberal Democrats have called on London Mayor Sadiq Khan to back their proposals to double the size of his ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) scrappage scheme to £220 million amid backlash to the current scheme by London Labour MPs.
In recent days, several Labour MPs (Ellie Reeves – Lewisham West & Penge, Rosena Allin-Khan – Tooting, Abena Oppong-Asare – Erith & Thamesmead and Barry Gardiner – Brent North) have expressed concern that the current ULEZ scrappage scheme doesn’t cover enough people. They have since been joined by the Labour Leaders of Ealing, Waltham Forest and Hackney Borough Councils.
The Liberal Democrats proposed an amendment to the Mayor’s budget in February this year to double the size of ULEZ scrappage scheme to £220 million by drawing money from City Hall’s reserves.
Despite securing backing from the Conservative and Green Party, Labour politicians in City Hall the voted the amendment down.
Now the Lib Dems have called on Sadiq Khan to reconsider their proposals stating that the remaining balances on the transport or environmental improvement reserve (have not yet been allocated formally.
Commenting Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari AM said:
“Even Labour’s own MPs can see that the Mayor’s scrappage scheme doesn’t go far enough.
“I was disappointed that Labour politicians voted down our plans for a fairer scheme earlier this year.
“However, it isn’t too late, the Mayor could change his mind and use these unallocated reserves to support families seeking to make changes ahead of the planned Ulez expansion later this summer.
“If the Mayor is to push forward ULEZ expansion on his current timescale, he must ensure people are adequately supported.”
