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Ben Spencer highlighted the negative impact of the ULEZ on constituents in Runnymede and Weybridge, noting that families and businesses will suffer due to financial constraints. He mentioned a local petition against the ULEZ with significant opposition from those unable to afford updated vehicles or facing challenges related to disabilities and public transport issues.
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My surgery has been inundated with constituents who rely on vehicles due to ill health or need to support disabled family members. In my constituency, the ULEZ expansion will negatively impact those dependent on private vehicles for daily activities. He commended the Minister on his work with buses but asked whether the Labour group in Hillingdon Council supporting the Conservatives' campaign against ULEZ indicates that this is not a party political issue.
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I mention a charity's contact regarding exemption or discount for emergency transportation, stating their inability to obtain such relief seems morally wrong. Dean Russell criticised the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), arguing that it penalises workers and impacts affordability at a time of increased cost of living. He highlighted concerns about democracy, fairness, and the lack of long-term consultation period, stating that constituents may be charged without being aware of the new zone. Russell also mentioned a charity that uses its own vehicles to transport medical samples and emergency blood, which could face difficulties under the new ULEZ rules.
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Elliot Colburn inquired about the new public transport infrastructure and improvements being provided by the Mayor of London as part of the ULEZ expansion. Mr Colburn highlighted the severe impact of ULEZ expansion on constituents in Carshalton and Wallington, noting that 30% or 30,000 vehicles are non-compliant. He criticised the lack of exemptions for small businesses, charities, keyworkers, elderly people, and disabled individuals. The borough's limited public transport options exacerbate the issue. Elliot Colburn intervened to point out that the A232 is congested because the Mayor of London has scrapped a promised review of the road.
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Ms Anderson welcomes the debate on air quality and discusses the impact of toxic air in Putney, noting that pollution is affecting small businesses and residents. She mentions that over 600,000 people have a lung condition in Greater London, with 60% living outside the ULEZ area. She highlights the Mayor's scrappage scheme worth £110 million to support those on lower incomes and calls for additional funding to aid small businesses affected by the expansion. The Federation of Small Businesses has asked the Government to deal with this by topping up the scrappage scheme.
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Asked Geraint Davies about his familiarity with the Jacobs report and questioned how he could claim that Conservative Members from outer London do not care about air pollution while referencing statements in the report. He also pointed out that 66% of respondents to the Mayor's consultation opposed the ULEZ expansion. Mr Bacon argued that Sadiq Khan lacks a mandate for expanding the ULEZ, as it was not included in his manifesto. He cited a public consultation where 60% of respondents opposed the expansion. Mr Bacon claimed that the policy's impact on air quality is negligible and economically damaging, targeting poor families who cannot afford to replace their vehicles.
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Does the hon. Gentleman support the investment in the extra 1 million km of bus network in outer London and the investment of £110 million in scrappage to get rid of 15% more polluting cars, or not? He noted it was ten years since Ella Kissi-Debrah's death, which marked her as the first person to have air pollution listed as the cause of death. He asked if the Minister would support the Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill to introduce WHO air quality standards ideally by 2030.
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People with disabilities who rely on mobility cars have been contacted expressing concern about the financial impact of this decision during the cost of living crisis. There should be some kind of exemption for those requiring mobility vehicles. I thank the hon. Member for speaking about the most vulnerable people and point out that it is particularly difficult for individuals with disabilities due to limited exemptions from the scheme.
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Mr. Louie French criticized the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), describing it as an outrageous tax raid on drivers in outer London, increasing costs for families, small businesses, and emergency service workers by around £4,500 a year. He pointed out that over 70% to 80% of people in outer London rejected the proposals during the consultation and raised concerns about the Mayor's mandate since it was not included in his manifesto.
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Louise Brown highlights the impact of the scheme on disabled people's mobility. She argues that public transport may not serve their needs, thus they have no choice but to use motor vehicles.
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He expressed concern over the number of Londoners dying prematurely due to air pollution, highlighting that 4,000 people die each year with the highest rates in outer boroughs. He mentioned the Government's failure to match EU standards and implement new targets under the Environment Act 2021. Additionally, he criticised the lack of funding for expanding charging infrastructure and improving public transport outside London. No leadership!
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The Mayor's consultation shows that 28,000 vehicles will be affected in the London Borough of Sutton alone. Small business people who can least afford to replace their car are particularly impacted. Responded to Geraint Davies by arguing that it is the Mayor who has gone against his own consultation and questioned the effectiveness of trams in Croydon compared to a cheaper tram extension in Sutton which could improve air quality.
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The Mayor has decided to introduce two new temporary exemptions from January 2023 to October 2027 for those on disabled benefits and with wheelchair-accessible vehicles, but there are still questions to be answered regarding inclusivity.