ULEZ expansion: Sadiq Khan says he will take ‘no lectures’ from Boris Johnson over criticisms of scheme

In a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday, Boris Johnson accused Sadiq Khan of using the ULEZ scheme to “rake in money from motorists.”
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Sadiq Khan has hit back at Boris Johnson’s criticism of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) expansion saying he will take “no lectures” from his predecessor.

The scheme, which will reach outer London from August 29, will charge some drivers of the most polluting cars £12.50 per day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday, the former prime minister and mayor of London accused Mr Khan of using the scheme to “rake in money from motorists” due to his “mismanagement of finances in London.”

Speaking at a young people’s event at the London Stadium, Mr Khan said: “Johnson was the mayor who took no action ten years ago when he was given a report that showed that there were more than 400 schools in areas where the air was unlawful, some of the poorest parts of the country.

Sadiq Khan has hit back at Boris Johnson’s criticism of ULEZ. Credit: Getty ImagesSadiq Khan has hit back at Boris Johnson’s criticism of ULEZ. Credit: Getty Images
Sadiq Khan has hit back at Boris Johnson’s criticism of ULEZ. Credit: Getty Images

“He hid that report away.

“He was the mayor that knew about 9-year-old Ella (Adoo-Kissi-Debrah), who lost her life and took no action.”

Ella, who died in 2013 following a severe asthma attack, was the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death at an inquest in the UK.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He’s also the mayor that when he became the prime minister he penalised London when it came to the deal with TfL so we’ll take no lectures from a former prime minister and former mayor who ignored the science and facts,” Mr Khan continued.

In the video, Mr Johnson said: “You don’t need an outer London ultra low emission zone in the way of Sadiq Khan, because by 2030 all new cars in this country are going to be much cleaner and greener anyway.

“There’s only one reason he’s doing it and it’s because he’s bankrupted TfL by his mismanagement of the finances of London and he wants to rake in money from motorists in outer London and he wants to rake in money from motorists in outer London and beyond in a way that’s completely unreasonable and unnecessary for air quality.”

Eleven out of 19 outer London councils have expressed concerns over the ULEZ expansion, with many asking the mayor to delay or improve the scrappage scheme to support people during the cost-of-living crisis.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Four Conservative councils have refused to sign an agreement allowing cameras to be installed, and have launched the first step of a legal action.

Asked what he made of some Labour MPs also criticising the plan, Mr Khan said: “Evidence that this policy is not about party politics is the fact that some people are opposing it from the Labour Party as well as the Conservative Party.

“It’s really important to recognise that actually, the evidence is unequivocal.

“You speak to the Chief Medical Officer and he will talk about the consequences and concerns of air quality.

“I want to be on the right side of history.”