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The Government has decided to back a Tory MP’s Private Member’s Bill seeking to scrap the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in a move which could cause a major upset for Sadiq Khan.
The Greater London Low Emission Zone Charging (Amendment) Bill, introduced by MP Gareth Johnson, had its second reading in the Commons today.
The extended zone, which covers the whole of outer London, came into force in August.
When the Bill was first announced, a spokesperson for Johnson described the expansion as “undemocratic”. He said the Ulez expansion is an “unfair stealth tax” which “hits the poorest the hardest”.
The Government has decided to back a Tory MP’s private member’s bill seeking to scrap the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) in a move which could cause a major upset for Sadiq Khan
PA
But a source close to the London Mayor described the proposed legislation as an “unprecedented assault on democracy”.
They told GB News: “This unprecedented assault on democracy and devolution is a desperate distraction by a Government in its death throes which time and again has shown its contempt for Londoners and their rights.
“Londoners will see through this pathetic attempt to play politics with the capital.”
“Ministers risk fundamentally undermining devolution if they start seizing powers from directly-elected Mayors – in London, the West Midlands or Tees Valley.
“If these plans become law it would be an unprecedented attack on devolution.”
Speaking about the bill when it was introduced to parliament in December, Johnson said: “I am introducing a bill, which if it is not talked out, will overturn the ULEZ expansion which came into force in August.
“Anyone who drives a car into London that does not meet the emissions rules has to pay £12.50 a day. This is an unfair stealth tax on the people of Dartford and across the south east, hitting the poorest the hardest.
“My Private Members’ Bill gives Parliament the opportunity to overturn this expansion. The London Mayor, Sadiq Khan has no mandate for this.”
He added: “Expanding Ulez was not in his manifesto or in his transport strategy and the consultation on the expansion showed that people did not want it.
A source close to the London Mayor described the proposed legislation as an “unprecedented assault on democracy”
PA
“It impacts people in Kent and other counties around London who cannot vote in or out the London Mayor. It is taxation without accountability. It punishes those on lower incomes who can least afford to buy a newer car to avoid the daily charge.
“There are also no guarantees the standard for meeting the Ulez threshold will not be changed in the future to include more vehicles. My proposed bill is to overturn the Ulez expansion and ensure the London Mayor cannot impose this unfair tax on the people of Dartford and beyond.”
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