Sadiq Khan announces expansion to ULEZ scrappage scheme

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced that the ULEZ scrappage scheme has been expanded to include all small businesses and families. 

Khan has responded to criticism on Tuesday 30th May from Labour-run councils around London, including Ealing, as well as other groups including the London Liberal Democrats that not enough was being do help families and businesses to get prepared for the ULEZ expansion on 29th August. 

The changes to the scrappage scheme mean that from the end of July small businesses in London which have fewer than 50 employees and charities operating in London will be able to retrofit up to three vans or minibuses; and Londoners receiving family benefit will be able to apply to the scrappage scheme for their non-ULEZ compliant vehicle. 

The grace period for businesses who have ordered compliant vehicles which will not be delivered by 29th August has also been extended. 

Khan said: "The majority of vehicles in London are already ULEZ compliant and will not have to pay anything. But I completely understand the concerns of people who may not have a compliant vehicle and are worried about how they'll make the transition.  

"We already have the biggest-ever scrappage scheme in place to support Londoners on low incomes, London based micro-businesses and charities and disabled Londoners.  

"But I've listened to families and small businesses in outer London who want more support and I'm pleased to be able to announce today a major expansion to the scheme run by TfL to ensure we can help them.   

"Expanding the ULEZ was an incredibly difficult decision for me. But with toxic air damaging the health of millions of Londoners and the need to tackle the climate crisis, I believe the cost of inaction would simply be far too high a price to pay." 

However, the Liberal Democrat councillor for Merton, Hina Bokhari, has said that these changes still do not go far enough and it should instead have been extended to be open to everyone. 

Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead said: "Despite nine in ten cars already being ULEZ-compliant, I've met with constituents in Erith and Thamesmead who are struggling to make the switch to greener transport. Today's announcement from the Mayor will go a long way to helping small businesses and families in my constituency. 

"Imperial College London estimates that up to around 162 people in Bexley and 129 in Greenwich die prematurely every year as a direct result of air pollution - this makes my constituency one of the worst-affected in London. I'm pleased to support Sadiq as he continues to work to clean up the air and save lives." 

To find out more about the changes which have been made then visit the website.