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Expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone — [Stewart Hosie in the Chair]
20 December 2022
Lead MP
Gareth Johnson
Dartford
Con
Responding Minister
Richard Holden
Tags
EconomyBusiness & Trade
Word Count: 14259
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Gareth Johnson raised concerns about expansion of the ultra low emission zone — [stewart hosie in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Johnson asks if the Government can confirm they do not have the power to stop this expansion and seeks advice on whether councils can refuse to allow their land to be used for camera infrastructure needed for enforcement. He also inquires about potential exemptions from the ULEZ charge, particularly for key workers and disabled individuals.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Gareth Johnson is concerned about Sadiq Khan's decision to extend the ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) to cover all of London, which he believes will have a catastrophic impact on Dartford and other bordering areas. He argues that one in seven cars are already affected by the current ULEZ scheme, and estimates suggest over half of ASDA depot workers would be impacted by the expansion. Johnson also mentions that almost two-thirds of respondents to the consultation opposed the extension, calling it a 'sham' decision. He highlights issues for small businesses reliant on customer traffic from outside London and concerns about disabled people's mobility.
Ben Spencer
Con
Runnymede and Weybridge
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.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
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.
Dean Russell
Con
Watford
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.
Elliot Colburn
Con
Carshalton and Wallington
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.
Fleur Anderson
Lab
Putney
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.
Gareth Bacon
Con
Orpington
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.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Cannock Chase
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.
Lisa Cameron
SNP
East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow
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.
Louie French
Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
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.
Louise Brown
SNP
Motherwell and Wishaw
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.
Mike Kane
Lab
Wythenshawe and Sale East
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!
Paul Scully
Con
West Sussex West
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.
Seema Malhotra
Lab Co-op
Feltham and Heston
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.
Government Response
Richard Holden
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Hosie. I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Dartford on securing the debate. The need to tackle air pollution is something Members agree on. Air pollution has reduced significantly since 2010, with particulate matter down by 18% and nitrogen oxides down by 44%. However, the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London was not in the Mayor's manifesto and goes against his own consultation. The Government have invested more than £800 million to tackle air pollution across 64 local council areas but do not have the power to veto the Mayor's decision under section 295 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999. Around 160,000 cars and 42,000 vans will be liable for a £12.50 charge on an average day. The Mayor has announced a new £110 million scrappage scheme to help certain Londoners prepare for expansion but it will not include all residents or those from outside London who are affected daily. Businesses that do not currently comply with the zone face inflationary pressures and some may close. Grace periods are available only until 2023-2027 for various vehicle types, including disabled vehicles and community transport minibuses by October 2025. The Government will explore what more can be done if the Mayor uses his authority improperly. TfL received £1.2 billion since March 2024, bringing total government funding to over £6 billion since the pandemic began, which matches pre-pandemic spending levels. This supports critical infrastructure projects but does not require ULEZ expansion for financial sustainability.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.