Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Greater London Boundary Charge

Thursday 29 April 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government does not support a boundary charge proposed by the Mayor of London.
  • Government highlights Mayor's mismanagement of Transport for London finances.
  • Concern raised about detrimental effects on businesses and families in outer London boroughs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Evennett Con
Transport
Context

The question arises from a proposed Greater London boundary charge suggested by the Mayor of London, which is controversial among non-London residents.

Question

Whether his Department plans to review the Greater London boundary charge proposed by the Mayor of London. The Government do not support a boundary charge.

Answer from Grant Shapps

The Government do not support a boundary charge. The Mayor of London cannot expect non-Londoners to clean up his mismanagement of Transport for London finances.

Answered
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Q2 David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Economy Transport
Context

The question addresses the Mayor of London's proposal to introduce a boundary charge and its potential negative effects on outer London boroughs.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that this is precisely not the fresh start that TfL or London as a whole needs to see? The cost of the Mayor's financial mismanagement should not be passed on to my constituents and other Londoners at precisely the time when we are trying to kickstart our economy after covid. Does he agree that this measure, if implemented, would be damaging particularly for high streets in outer London boroughs, and especially for the disabled and those who rely on their cars for personal reasons?

Answer from Grant Shapps

That is absolutely right. Let us be fair to the Mayor of London. No one could have predicted the coronavirus. This Government have generously backed TfL with more than £3 billion of support so far, but it is because of the Mayor's mismanagement of that organisation, with years of being woefully unprepared, that he was not ready when this economic shock came. If London wants a real fresh start for TfL and does not want this boundary tax, it should consider voting for Shaun Bailey on 6 May.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact of the proposed charge on outer London boroughs

How: Let Us Be Fair To The Mayor Of London, Government Have Generously Backed Tfl With More Than £3 Billion Of Support

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Q3 David Evennett Con
Taxation Local Government
Context

The question concerns the Mayor of London's proposal to introduce a boundary tax and its detrimental effects on businesses, employees, families, shoppers, and visitors in outer London.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that the proposed charge is a result of the London Labour Mayor's poor financial management, and that this reckless charge would have severe detrimental effects on businesses, employees, families, shoppers and visitors in outer London boroughs like mine in Bexley?

Answer from Grant Shapps

My right hon. Friend is absolutely right to highlight the threat. I wonder whether everybody realises that the Mayor of London would like to introduce this border tax, so that non-Londoners end up having to pay for his financial mismanagement of London. It is not on. It is called taxation without representation and, as our American cousins used to point out, that is tyranny.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific effects of the proposed charge on outer London boroughs

How: I Wonder Whether Everybody Realises

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