Sadiq Khan blames Boris Johnson for Ulez as London mayor vows to 'see through' expansion

11 March 2023, 19:41

Khan said he inherited the controversial policy from his predecessor as mayor of London
Khan said he inherited the controversial policy from his predecessor as mayor of London. Picture: Alamy

By Adam Solomons

Sadiq Khan has said he "stole" ULEZ from London mayoral predecessor Boris Johnson as he promised to "see through" the expansion of the contentious car tax.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Mr Khan also claimed that most Londoners support ULEZ, despite a recent poll which found 60 per cent are against the controversial car tax.

The mayor told the Daily Telegraph: “It was a loaded poll and it’s been dismissed by a lot of polling experts.

"The poll that’s been done with a straight question shows that twice as many Londoners support the scheme as are opposed to it – 51 per cent are in favour of expansion, 27 per cent are against it.”

The ultra-low emissions zone will expand to the entire capital from 29 August, meaning every journey made in to London in a non-compliant vehicle will cost £12.50.

Read more: Sadiq Khan sparks fury as he decries 'Far Right' and 'Covid denier' element among Ulez protesters

Read more: New Ulez cameras vandalised as backlash grows over Sadiq Khan's expansion

Sadiq Khan blasts ULEZ critics in London Assembly meeting

Mr Khan added: "By the way, this isn’t my policy. I’ve stolen Boris Johnson’s.

“In 2013, Johnson announced he would be doing a Ulez. But he did that classic thing that politicians do; he announced something that he left for other politics to do.

"I’m going to see it through.”

The mayor also said the controversial tax on cars making trips into the capital will save the NHS more than £10 billion as the reduction in traffic will cut asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

The striking interview came days after several Ulez cameras were vandalised in an apparent protest against the policy.

Sadiq Khan says he will take ‘no lectures’ from Boris Johnson over ULEZ plans

Four cameras in Abbey Wood, Greenwich, appear to have suffered damage, according to reports and images via social media.

Some 300 new cameras have so far been installed across the expanded Ulez zone.

Another 2,750 cameras are expected to be installed before the expansion officially takes place, costing around £45 million.

It is the latest backlash against Mr Khan's expansion plans after the Mayor was slammed for decrying a "far-right element" to those who oppose the Ulez expansion.

Speaking at a People's Question Time event last week, Mr Khan said some people with "legitimate objections" to the ULEZ expansion have been "joining hands" with those from people from "far-right groups".

“Let’s be frank, let’s call a spade a spade. Some of those outside are part of the far-right. Some are Covid deniers. Some are vaccine-deniers. And some are Tories," the Mayor of London said.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Proud Boys claim they will go to voting places as Trump repeats election fraud lies.

Proud Boys making plans to mobilise as Trump repeats election fraud lies

File photo of a real NHS dentist

Desperate Brits fall for scam 'fake NHS dentists' amid years-long waits for appointments

The Kremlin is suspected of plotting the attack

'Parcel bombs' that blew up in warehouse were 'rehearsal' for Russian explosion attack on flight to US

Keir Starmer is not set to ban smoking in pub gardens, contrary to earlier reports

Cigarettes will not be banned in pub gardens under new Labour plan create 'smoke-free generation'

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally in Reading, Pennsylvania

Trump threatens Mexico with 100% tariffs unless it cracks down on border crossings

Bridget Phillipson told Tonight with Andrew Marr that the fee hike was necessary to secure the future of universities.

‘Universities must reform’ says education secretary after first hike in tuition fees in 8 years

Two more cases of a new strain of mpox have been detected in the UK, officials say

Two more cases of new mpox strain detected in UK

Anya Taylor-Joy and her musician husband were the victims of a terrifying robbery

Anya Taylor-Joy and musician husband victims of burglary at London mansion

Exclusive
Nigel Farage speaking to LBC's Nick Ferrari about new Tory leader Kemi Badenoch

'The Remainers are back in town': Nigel Farage says Kemi Badenoch will bring 'no change whatsoever' to Tories

Amy Dowden

Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden will not return to show this year following 'medical emergency'

Scott Paterson murdered his landlady Annette Smith

Tenant murdered and dismembered elderly landlady before posing as her by sending Christmas cards to family

Robert Jenrick, Priti Patel and Mel Stride will all serve in Kemi Badenoch's Shadow Cabinet

Kemi Badenoch names former leadership rivals Robert Jenrick and Priti Patel to Tory Shadow Cabinet team

Bridget Phillipson has confirmed the tuition fee rise

University tuition fees to rise for first time in eight years, as Tories accuse Labour of 'declaring war on students'

Sara Sharif had suffered dozens of injuries in the weeks leading up to her death, a court has heard

Video of Sara Sharif smiling and dancing 'days before murder' shown to court

Transport for London (TfL) has warned passengers that no Tube services are expected on Thursday 7 November

November Tube strikes to bring London to a halt this week despite RMT calling off action

Stuart Gogg during the Six Nations rugby match between France and Scotland in Saint-Denis, 26 February 2023

Former Scotland rugby captain pleads guilty to domestic abuse over five-year period against former partner