Sadiq Khan warns Ulez charge could INCREASE as Mayor ignores growing fury
Khan has warned that the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone charge could increase
PA
Sadiq Khan has warned that the expanded Ultra Low Emission Zone charge could increase, despite mounting fury over the levy.
The London Mayor has faced backlash after expanding the £12.50 to cover all of Greater London. But he has now suggested that the tariff could increase in price.
Speaking at London Mayor's Question Time, Khan warned that it is "not inconceivable" that the price could change, warning that it is "always kept under review".
As drivers convert to cleaner forms of travel, he warned that fuel duty will dry up which would "drive up road tax and so forth" - noting that road charging is always subject to change.
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He said that as drivers convert to cleaner travel, fuel duty is going to dry up and "fuel cells are going to drive up road tax and so forth", hence road charging is always subject to change.
Mr Khan said: "It's not inconceivable [that] in the future at some date, the [Congestion] Charge could go up or down, ULEZ could go up or down, LEZ could go up or down, as it did in the past."
According to a Redfield and Wilton poll, the mayor's approval rating has dropped by 22 points since last June- falling to a meagre 5 per cent approval.
The London Mayor has faced growing backlash in recent months for his expansion of Ulez in London, with the Mayor facing a High Court challenge over the plans.
But despite the backlash, the Mayor has pressed ahead with the scheme.
The £12.50 Ulez charge applies to vehicles that do not meet up-to-date emissions standards.
It was recently expanded to cover the whole of London, having previously covered just inner London.
If a vehicle does not meet Ulez emission standards, drivers who fail to pay receive a penalty charge notice of up to £180.
Redfield and Wilton polled 1,110 London voters on 5 and 6 September.
This is reduced to £90 if paid within two weeks. The fines increased in January from £160 and £80 respectively.
Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall last month described the plans as "disastrous", pledging to reverse the expansion on "day one" if she becomes Mayor.
Hitting out at the Labour Mayor, Ms Hall told GB News: "Londoners have made their voices loud and clear on Sadiq Khan’s disastrous Ulez expansion.
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Speaking at London Mayor's Question Time, Khan warned that it is "not inconceivable" that the price could change,
London Mayor's Questions
"The Mayor has pursued this policy that does next to nothing to improve air quality while hitting the poorest with a £12.50 daily charge.
"I will stop the Ulez expansion on day one of my Mayoralty."