Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Ultra-low Emission Zone: Expansion

Thursday 20 April 2023 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government discussions with Transport for London on expanding the Ultra-Low Emission Zone have taken place.
  • The Mayor of London and Transport for London have statutory powers under the Greater London Authority Act 1999 to install ULEZ infrastructure without borough consent.
  • Government funding for clean air zones and scrappage schemes has been provided in multiple UK areas outside of London.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Transport
Context

Several outer London boroughs have refused to enter into section 8 agreements with Transport for London, preventing ULEZ cameras from being installed on their roads.

Question

What recent discussions has the government had with Transport for London regarding plans to expand the Ultra-Low Emission Zone? Several outer London boroughs have refused to enter into section 8 agreements with Transport for London. Sadiq Khan believes he can override the boroughs and install his hated ULEZ expansion without their permission. Ministers previously said they would get legal advice on that. What advice has been received?

Answer from Mark Harper

Under schedule 23 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, the Mayor of London and Transport for London have the statutory powers to install infrastructure required for the expansion of ULEZ without obtaining the consent of the London boroughs. The Mayor is accountable to the electorate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about legal advice received, but the answer did not provide this information; instead, it referenced statutory powers.

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Q2 Gareth Bacon Con Orpington
Transport
Context

Several outer London boroughs have refused to enter into section 8 agreements with Transport for London, preventing ULEZ cameras from being installed on their roads.

Question

Sadiq Khan believes that he can override the boroughs and install his hated ULEZ expansion without their permission. Ministers have previously said that they would get legal advice on that. What advice has been received?

Answer from Mark Harper

Under schedule 23 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, the Mayor of London and Transport for London have the statutory powers to install infrastructure required for the expansion of ULEZ without obtaining the consent of the London boroughs. The Mayor is accountable to the electorate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about legal advice received, but the answer did not provide this information; instead, it referenced statutory powers.

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Q3 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Transport Environment
Context

The previous Conservative Mayor of London supported the London clean air zone, which is recognised in the Government's air quality strategy.

Question

This Government have provided funding for clean air zones and scrappage schemes in Bristol, Bath, Sheffield, Birmingham, Portsmouth and other areas around the country. The previous Conservative Mayor of London supported the London clean air zone, and it is recognised in the Government's air quality strategy. Why have the Government not provided a single penny of scrappage funding for London since the introduction of the ULEZ in 2019?

Answer from Mark Harper

This Government's total funding to TfL has been more than £6 billion since the start of the pandemic. The Mayor of London is expanding his ULEZ scheme—that is his decision and it is therefore for him to fund the necessary scrappage scheme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked why no funding has been provided, but the answer shifted focus to total TfL funding without addressing scrappage specifically.

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