ULEZ: Scrappage scheme extension may be brought forward to start of July, confirms Sadiq Khan

Londoners may be able to benefit from the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scrappage scheme extension earlier than initially planned, as Sadiq Khan confirms work is being done to bring it forward from the end of July.

The mayor announced earlier today (June 1) that all Londoners receiving child benefit and small businesses with fewer than 50 employees will be able to apply for support from the £110m scrappage scheme from the end of next month.

Under the scheme, eligible applicants are able to get money in exchange for scrapping or retrofitting their vehicles. Other options, such as a lower payment plus one or two adult-rate annual bus and tram passes, are also available.

In addition to enabling more Londoners to apply for support, the extension will mean charities will be able to retrofit or scrap up to three vans or minibuses instead of just one, and new grace periods will be introduced for sole traders, microbusinesses, small businesses, and registered charities, among other perks.

The end of July start date means those due to benefit will only have a month or so to apply before the ULEZ is expanded on August 29.

When asked about the timeline for the scrappage scheme’s extension, Mr Khan told LondonWorld: “We’re working to bring that date forward from the end of July, but also I was keen to give people as much notice as possible. I worry people are anxious, and I don’t want people to be anxious, and that anxiety worries me. By giving people as much notice as possible, they can plan in advance.

“By next month, they’ll be able to get some of that money in, and we’re going to try and bring that forward from the end of next month to early next month.”

Opponents in City Hall have been quick to claim the scrappage scheme extension does not go far enough.

Conservative Assembly Member (AM) Peter Fortune said that while he welcomes the mayor’s decision, Mr Khan “is offering the bare minimum and this minor change will not cover the crippling expense of buying a new car”.

“The best thing Sadiq Khan can do now is scrap it and start tackling air pollution where it is, instead of taxing people where it isn’t,” he said.

Liberal Democrat AM Hina Bokhari said: “It’s about time the mayor did something. But what he has announced today falls short of the action needed.

“In February our proposals to double the ULEZ scrappage scheme from £100 million to £220 million was backed by all other opposition parties but was voted down by Labour politicians trying to protect the mayor’s image. Our scheme would have been open to all Londoners and that is what we will continue to fight for.”

The mayor’s announcement came after Labour MPs and councillors had been increasing the pressure on Mr Khan to expand the scrappage scheme, over concerns related to the number of Londoners eligible to apply for the support.