"I'm proposing to expand the ULEZ London-wide to protect every child," says SADIQ KHAN

Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has said he is proposing to expand the Ultra Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ) London-wide to protect "every child in our capital".

Under the new proposals, the ULEZ will be extended out to the edges of London's outer boroughs. The aim is to make this happen by 2023.

Non-compliant vehicles would have to pay £12.50 per day for driving in the zone, just as they have to if travelling in the current ULEZ which was only recently expanded from the centre of the capital to an area just inside the North and South Circular Roads.

Khan has been very vocal on the state of London's ongoing pollution issues and has recently tweeted: "London faces a triple threat to our environment and the health of our people. We must act. Boldly and immediately."

He added: "We'll deliver the biggest scrappage scheme feasible to help Londoners adapt to a London-wide ULEZ. The Government must also step up and commit to providing extra support for a scrappage scheme in London - like they are doing for other cities around the world."

In a letter from Khan to Rt Hon George Eustice MP, Secretary of State for Envo, Food and Rural Affairs, it says: "Since the first scrappage scheme was launched in 2019, I have continued to provide these schemes to ensure they supported as many people as possible, bringing the funds to a total of over £61 million.

"However, the demand for these schemes has far outstripped the funding available, and, unfortunately, we had to now close the schemes."

Caroline Pidgeon, Lib Dem London Assembly Member and Chair of the Transport Committee, spoke out over the proposals: "I really welcome plans to extend ULEZ across all of Greater London.

"It is right and necessary to tackle toxic air pollution. Air pollution does not stop at the South and North Circular.

"Many parts of outer London have poor public transport links and are currently suffering from reduced train timetables. The ULEZ extension must go hand in hand with improving public transport in outer London, including new orbital bus services and restored train timetables."

Caroline Russell, London Assembly Member, also gave her support of Khan's proposals, saying: "So good to see plans for a London-wide ULEZ at last. It will help reduce health inequality in our city."