ULEZ expansion: Sadiq Khan hits back at ‘manifesto omission’ criticism

Sadiq Khan has claimed his decision to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to cover all of greater London was covered in his 2021 manifesto commitments, despite accusations he intentionally avoided giving Londoners “their say” on the scheme.

The mayor of London told Assembly Members (AM) during today’s Mayor’s Question Time (June 22) that he was clear when last running for the role that he would “remain committed to dealing with the climate emergency, and the blight of air pollution”.

At the time of the election, the scheme only covered central London. In his manifesto, Mr Khan promised to extend it to inner London, which he did in October 2021, though no reference was made explicitly of the further expansion planned for this August, under which the whole of London will be incorporated.

However, Mr Khan did say he would “monitor all existing road-charging schemes to ensure they continue to bring the maximum benefits of improved air quality and reduced congestion, and I’ll identify where further action is needed to eradicate hotspots for air pollution”.

This morning, the mayor referenced the commitment, saying it was due to the data showing dangerous levels of air pollution in outer London that he decided to expand the scheme.

“All Londoners, regardless of where they live, should be able to breathe clean air,” he said.

Under questioning from Conservative AM and City Hall Conservatives leader Neil Garratt, who claimed it is “pretty obvious you just don’t want the electorate to have a say”, Mr Khan listed a series of major actions he has taken, from free school meals to police reform, which did not feature in his manifesto.

“The idea that you can’t do things that aren’t specifically mentioned in black and white in your manifesto is ridiculous,” Mr Khan told the chamber.

The mayor has previously been subject to criticism for not including such a major scheme in his 2021 manifesto, unlike the Green Party candidate, Siân Berry, who explicitly mentioned her intention to extend the zone to cover all of London.

Referencing the example of a landscape gardener in Ealing who is struggling to replace their non-compliant van, Conservative AM Emma Best said to Mr Khan: “The more up front you are about that, the more they can deal with their personal circumstance and make sure they are ready for it.”

Due to be expanded to cover all of greater London on August 29, concerns about the scheme have been raised by groups from charities to businesses and outer London residents.

Mr Khan has described the decision to extend the zone as “necessary”, telling members today it is “an essential part of ensuring a greener, healthier and fairer future for all Londoners wherever they live in the capital”.

There has been some dispute in recent months around compliance rates in outer London, though the mayor and Transport for London (TfL) point to data suggesting nine out of ten vehicles seen in boroughs not currently covered by the ULEZ are already compliant.

The scrappage scheme, which enables those having to upgrade their vehicles to access financial support as well as public transport passes, is being extended next month so more Londoners can apply.

A judicial review into the ULEZ expansion, launched by four Conservative councils plus Surrey County Council, is due to be heard in the High Court in a couple of weeks.