Support for ULEZ scrappage schemes

Susan Hall AM proposed, and Peter Fortune AM seconded, the following amended motion

“This Assembly notes that to date, the Mayor and London Boroughs have so far been excluded from applying to the Clean Air Fund. The London Assembly calls on the Government to allocate funding from their Clean Air Fund and invest in Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scrappage schemes. This investment should be used to reopen the two suspended schemes for vans and heavy vehicles to help sole traders, small businesses, and charities scrap or retrofit these older vehicles.

The Mayor should use any money allocated by the Government to widen the third scheme to help low income Londoners earning less than £30,000 to scrap cars and motorcycles. These new grants should offer Londoners either a grant which can be used to buy a new ULEZ compliant vehicle or the equivalent in travel credits to encourage more people to use public transport where possible.

While the Mayor should contribute what he can afford to scrappage schemes, the real responsibility for this lies with Government.

This Assembly recognises the difficult financial situation that TfL is in as a result of the pandemic and as a result of the previous Mayor changing the funding model to rely on fares instead of Government funding.

This Assembly recognises that many Londoners rely on their vehicle but cannot afford the ULEZ expansion charge or to buy a cleaner vehicle. That’s why this Assembly is calling on the Government to support the Mayor and TfL to help Londoners, businesses and charities switch to cleaner modes of transport ahead of the ULEZ expansion in October 2021.”

Upon being put to a vote, the motion as amended, was agreed unanimously.