Mr Khan said: “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 once again call on him to see sense and withdraw the proposals and spend taxpayers’ money on something that will actually make a difference.” However, the Ulez expansion is being challenged in the courts by five London councils, which argue it will disproportionately affect people in outer city areas where public transport is less extensive and has a negligible impact on air quality.īaroness O’Neill of Bexley, leader of Bexley Council, said: “The reality is that he could have consulted on a scrappage scheme that would have made a difference, and his announcement today is too little, too late. Mr Khan argues the Ulez expansion is needed urgently to improve air quality across the capital. There will also be a grace period for small businesses, sole traders and charities if they have vehicles on order that will be delivered after August 29. The scheme will now be opened to all Londoners who receive child benefit and businesses based in London with fewer than 50 employees – as opposed to 10 or fewer – while charities can scrap or retrofit up to three vans or minibuses instead of just one. This will allow them to replace their cars with “greener alternatives”. On Thursday, Mr Khan’s office insisted that the vast majority of vehicles in the capital were already compliant and said that more people whose vehicles were not would be able to access a scrappage scheme. This will apply to older vehicles that are not compliant with Euro 4 emissions regulations, introduced in 2006, with critics warning it will hit lower-income households hardest. It means tens of thousands of drivers will potentially be forced to pay a £12.50-a-day charge to use their cars. Under current plans, Ulez – which only covers areas within the city’s North and South Circular roads today – will be expanded to cover all of the Greater London area from August 29. The Labour mayor on Thursday announced more people will be eligible for the scheme following criticism that the high cost of buying an electric car means Ulez will essentially become a tax on drivers in the capital. Prime Minister Boris Johnson will review the measures that have all but shuttered Britain’s economy on May 7 to judge whether any can be eased, a decision which he says will be guided by the government’s desire to protect public health.īritain has been locked down for six weeks, and Johnson is under pressure from some in his governing Conservative Party to start to ease some of the measures, allowing people to return to reopened businesses and for some children to go back to school.Sadiq Khan has been accused of doing “too little, too late” as he extended the £110m scrappage scheme ahead of an expansion of London’s ultra-low emissions zone (Ulez). LONDON (Reuters) - Britain’s opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said on Monday he would support any extension of social distancing measures, calling for a “national consensus” on the next phase of the country’s response to the coronavirus outbreak. FILE PHOTO: Britain’s opposition Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer is seen in his office as he launches ‘Call Keir’ online public meetings, at the Houses of Parliament, following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in London, Britain, April 30, 2020.
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