Fury as Sadiq Khan doubles down on ULEZ scheme – as his plan to help drivers ‘isn’t enough’
SADIQ Khan has doubled down on expanding his hated ULEZ scheme later this month - despite huge opposition.
The London Mayor insisted he wouldn't back down on his plans to charge Londoners with older cars £12.50 a day to drive them.
But he launched plans to rapidly expand the scrappage scheme to help more people to get at least £2,000 to make the swap.
Small businesses and charities with a non-compliant van will receive increased payments of £7,000.
He told LBC yesterday: "I am unwilling to delay, water down or step back from these really important measures that are going to save lives and protect lungs."
But he admitted that those who had already ditched their cars to meet the new rules, set to be introduced at the end of the month, would not get extra help or be reimbursed.
And the Mayor himself said he could only find 5,000 cars for less than £2,000 second hand - meaning people will lose out financially if they buy a new one.
But Tory minister Maria Caulfield told Sky News this morning the £2,000 payments that will now be available to all Londoners under the scheme are “nothing if you’re having to replace your car.”
And Tory Mayoral candidate Susan Hall told The Sun: "A £2,000 grant simply isn't enough for most people. Many families have already gone into debt replacing their car, because they were previously refused help by Sadiq Khan's scrappage scheme.
"Prices are set to rise even further when the grants are rolled out. The best thing he could do is stop the ULEZ expansion altogether. If he won't, then I will on my first day as Mayor."
It is also only available to people who live in the London boroughs - and people who live just outside and have to travel in will be excluded.
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The expansion of the pot of cash may not be enough to cover everyone affected by the new ULEZ expansion, either.
SMMT estimates there are 280,000 non-compliant cars in Outer London – all of which will be charged from next month.
The Mayor has allocated a total £160m total to the scheme, which will only pay for 80,000 cars.
