No10 bats away Tory calls to VETO Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion

No10 bats away Tory calls to VETO Sadiq Khan’s ‘tax raid’ ULEZ expansion amid fury that policy will hit millions of people in Home Counties who do not get to vote on London mayor

  • Downing Street poured cold water on calls for veto of Sadiq Khan’s flagship plan 

Downing Street today batted away Tory calls to veto Sadiq Khan’s huge expansion of the ULEZ charge.

The PM’s spokesman said the controversial policy is ‘a matter for the Mayor of London’ and he must ‘justify’ it to residents and businesses.

The comments came despite suggestions that ministers were looking at intervening, with claims the extension will hit people in the Home Counties who do not get to vote for the mayor.  

Boris Johnson is among the senior Tories who have been attacking the massive upgrade of the charging zone.

Mr Khan insists the move is solely designed to slash pollution in London, but critics – including some Labour MPs – have branded it a ‘tax raid’ and part of a war on motorists.

Downing Street today batted away Tory calls to veto Sadiq Khan’s (pictured in a visit to a school in Tooting Bec today) huge expansion of the ULEZ charge

Under plans put forward by Mr Khan, the ULEZ would be expanded from the centre of London to include all of the city’s 32 boroughs from the end of August.

However, the Greater London Authority (GLA) Act of 1999 gives the government the power to veto legislation put forward by the mayor which are ‘inconsistent’ with nationwide transport policies.

This also applies if plans in place in London would have a ‘detrimental’ effect elsewhere.

Government officials are now considering whether section 143 of the act, which provides the power for a veto, could be used for the first time, the Telegraph reported last week.

Paul Scully, Minister for London, argued the plans would impact many people who do not live in London.

He said: ‘There are various avenues to look at in the GLA Act. It says the Government can step in and veto anything that is in contravention to the national strategy.

‘Does the ULEZ expansion affect people in other parts of the country? You can make the argument that it does.

‘It affects a whole load of people in Surrey, Kent and Hertfordshire who didn’t get a say on it. It is taxation without representation.’

Asked today if the PM will veto the ULEZ expansion, his official spokesman said: ‘Road user charging is a matter for the Mayor of London. 

‘It will be for him to justify the decision to residents and businesses and to consult properly to ensure those who can least afford to upgrade their vehicles are supported through any future measures. 

There have been calls for Rishi Sunak to block the ULEZ plans 

‘We are working closely with local councils to drive down pollution and improve public health.’ 

The Mayor’s aides has described the idea of a veto as ‘desperate nonsense’.

‘The Secretary of State could only use this power after changing national policy to prevent all cities charging drivers based on their emissions. Ministers have directed numerous UK cities to introduce clean air zones, and the Government is under clear legal obligations to tackle air pollution.’

Former Cabinet minister Jacob Rees-Mogg tweeted: ‘This anti-motorist attack ought to be vetoed.’ 

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