Plot to overturn Sadiq Khan's hated Ulez expansion blocked by Labour MPs in Commons

Plot to overturn Sadiq Khan's hated Ulez expansion blocked by Labour MPs in Commons

WATCH: Sadiq Khan's Ulez expansion has been met with fury

GB News
Georgina Cutler

By Georgina Cutler


Published: 22/03/2024

- 16:27

Updated: 22/03/2024

- 16:42

The Ulez scheme was expanded last August to cover the entirety of Greater London

A bid by a Tory MP to scrap Sadiq Khan's Ulez expansion across London has been blocked in the House of Commons.

Gareth Johnson, Conservative MP for Dartford, tabled the Bill to give the Government the power to reverse the expansion.


The attempt ran out of time in the Commons after a series of long speeches from Opposition MPs.

The Ulez scheme was expanded last August to cover the entirety of Greater London - a controversial move overseen by London’s Labour mayor.

Sadiq KhanA bid by a Tory MP to scrap Sadiq Khan's Ulez expansion across London has been blocked in the House of CommonsGetty

People with a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards and who fail to pay the daily cap risk a £180 fine.

Khan’s team warned ministers risked "fundamentally undermining devolution" if they started "seizing powers from directly-elected mayors".

Johnson said it was a "myth" to say the expansion was to do with improving air quality.

He said: "If it was about air pollution, the mayor of London would ban these vehicles going into London.

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"He doesn't want to ban them, he wants to make money out of them.

"If those people driving those motor vehicles give the mayor of London £12.50, they can drive all day long in London – he does not give a damn, it's got nothing whatsoever to do with air pollution."

The second reading debate was still taking place at 2.30pm, which is the cut-off time for private members’ bills to be considered during a Friday sitting.

Intervening during a 33-minute speech by Labour MP Lilian Greenwood, Johnson said: "It’s obvious both she and the Labour Party wish to talk out my Bill to overturn the expansion of Ulez."

Ulez signThe Ulez was expanded in August 2023 PA

Johnson asked for the debate to resume on April 19, however, it is highly unlikely to be considered further in its current form.

A spokesperson for Mr Khan said in a statement: "The evidence shows that Ulez is working. 95 per cent of vehicles seen driving on London’s roads are now compliant and don’t need to pay a penny.

"Thousands of drivers have now received money to scrap their dirty vehicles, helping clean up London’s air and protect Londoners’ health.

"The mayor is clear that it’s up to other towns and cities to decide what works best locally for them. Central Government shouldn’t be dictating which clean air schemes are introduced in local areas – whether in Bermondsey, Birmingham, or Bristol.

"Ministers risk fundamentally undermining devolution if they start seizing powers from directly-elected mayors – in London, the West Midlands or Tees Valley."

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