Transport within London is devolved to the Mayor of London, who has taken the decision to expand the existing ULEZ across the whole of London.  This is despite having said at the last mayoral election he would only expand it to the North and South circular roads.  He is not legally required to consult either central or local government before doing so.

ULEZ was expanded across all London boroughs from 29 August 2023. This followed a High Court ruling on 28 July that the process carried out on the proposal to expand the ULEZ, including the public consultation, was legal. The expanded zone covers the same area as the Low Emission Zone.

I understand concerns surrounding the impact of the expansion of the ULEZ on Londoners, those who commute into London and small businesses. Estimates show that, following the expansion, approximately 160,000 cars and 42,000 vans that use London’s roads on an average day would be liable for the £12.50 ULEZ charge. As a scheme that applies in London, this is the Mayor’s decision, and he is accountable for the impact of it.

Although the Government is clear that the Mayor needs to put Transport for London on a financially sustainable footing, the Government believes that this does not require expansion of the ULEZ, and has prevented him from using government money to fund the expansion.

Also, I understand that my colleague Gareth Johnson has introduced the Greater London Low Emission Zone Charging (Amendment) Bill, which aims to ban ULEZ. However, it has not yet been published, so I look forward to reading it once it has been.