Ellie Reeves said that low-income retirees who need to travel to see friends would be “unfairly overwhelmed” by Ulez. Photo: Stefan. Rousseau/PA Wire
Sadiq Khan's expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (Ulez) will prevent poorer retirees from shopping and meeting friends, Labor shadow minister warned.
Ellie Reeves said many families with low income would be “unreasonably prohibited” from driving in the capital, and urged the Mayor of London to intervene with more support.
The shadow justice minister made the remarks in a letter that risks sparking a new civil war within the party over the controversial Ulez.
Under this scheme, the most polluting vehicles, including old cars and vans, have to pay £12.50 per day to enter the center of the capital.
Decision to spread the fee to all of Greater London. of 29 August has already been heavily criticized by some of the Labor Party councillors.
In her letter, Ms Reeves, who is also an MP for Lewisham West and Penge in South East London, said the decision would “unfairly hit” her constituents.
ULEZ London expansion plan
She wrote : “These include retirees with little disposable income who need a car to go shopping or meet friends and family, and parents on child support who need support to switch to a family car.”
“Care workers and small businesses have also been affected. They are doing the right thing by caring for their community or providing local employment, but they cannot afford to make the transition.”
Ulez only applies to the most polluting vehicles, which tend to be older and owned by poorer families who can't afford to upgrade to a cleaner model.
Mr Khan announced a scrappage scheme to help low-income families make the transition, providing £2,000 for a new car and £1,000 for motorcycles.
However, the money only covers a fraction of the cost of switching to more a new car and are only available to people with certain types of benefits.
The mayor called for a rethink of Ulez
The mayor's office said more than nine out of 10 cars in the capital now meet Ulez requirements, meaning they don't have to pay the fee.
Ms Reeves said she was “worried about some of the one in 10 who can't afford this expansion” and said the recycling scheme should be reviewed.
“So I urge you…to expand it scale so that those unfairly harmed by Ulez have a good chance of doing the right thing,” she wrote.
“I know many Londoners understand the importance of clean air and support your intention behind the Ulez scheme, which I supported from day one.
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“But at a time when many of them are struggling to survive, due in large part to the conservative cost-of-living crisis, I hope you will consider my request to revise and expand the scheme.”
The Ulez extension has generated several outcries, such as this one in April. Photo: Reuters/Maja Smiejkowska
Mr Khan defended the Ulez scheme, saying it was “anti-Covid, anti-vaccine [and] anti-lockdown people” among the critics.
He told The Times: “You have people genuinely concerned about LTN [low traffic areas] or Ulez. and they have genuine concerns that deserve respect and should be addressed.”
The Mayor of London also accused the Tories of playing “party politics” on the issue by campaigning against expansion.< /p >
Five Conservative-led councils sued the decision, with some saying they would refuse to install the cameras needed to enforce the charge.
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