The London Assembly has today called on the
Government to introduce a national clean air fund to help cover
scrappage costs for everyone in the country, following the recent
expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to all of Greater
London.
The Mayor recently expanded his scrappage scheme to £160m to
allow Londoners with vehicles that do not meet ULEZ standards the
chance to receive a one off grant to replace their vehicle.
The Government has provided clean air scheme funding in other
cities across the country, including Bath, Birmingham, Bristol,
Sheffield and Portsmouth.
Because of this, it has today agreed a motion
urging the Government to introduce a national clean air fund to
help people living in London and beyond with the ULEZ transition.
Léonie Cooper AM, who proposed the motion, said:
“Air quality in London has been a public health emergency for
too long.
“The Government has not done enough to support the scrappage
scheme – which is particularly disappointing given they have
provided funding to similar schemes in other cities.”
“The London Assembly has thrown our weight behind the
ground-breaking ULEZ and its expansion, which will improve
London's air for children and vulnerable people all across our
city.”
Siân Berry AM, who seconded the motion,
said:
“A London wide Ultra Low Emission Zone is something I’ve
campaigned for over many years. Clean air is a human right, and
it should be supported by Government and every borough in
London."
The full text of the motion is:
This Assembly welcomes the expansion of the Ultra Low Emissions
Zone (ULEZ) that took place on 29 August 2023, reducing air
pollution for 5 million more Londoners.
This Assembly welcomes the High Court’s decision on 28 July 2023
to dismiss the claim against the ULEZ expansion to outer London
on all three grounds. This Assembly believes that the four London
boroughs who brought the legal action should have used the money
instead to support their local residents and fund their own
additional scrappage funds, similar to Merton and Wandsworth.
This Assembly strongly welcomes the Mayor’s expansion of his
scrappage scheme for ULEZ to £160 million, noting that had
targeted those most in need of financial support, before becoming
available to all Londoners. This Assembly additionally notes that
the amount which can be claimed by businesses and charities has
increased. Sadly, this is still without financial support from
the Government towards London’s mitigation and adaptation
measures.
This Assembly agrees with the urgency of removing the most
polluting vehicles from our roads, thereby reducing the
associated health risks to Londoners such as asthma, dementia and
stunted lungs in our children. This will particularly benefit the
boroughs with the highest number of air pollution-related deaths,
which are all in outer London, including Bromley, Barnet, Croydon
and Havering.
This Assembly notes that the Government has provided clean air
scheme funding for other cities with similar emissions schemes
such as Bath, Birmingham, Bristol, Sheffield and Portsmouth. We
therefore call on the Government to support the important
transition to cleaner air by introducing a properly funded
national clean air fund which can cover scrappage not only for
Londoners, but those living outside the city and in towns and
cities across the country.
Notes to editors:
- Watch the full webcast.
- The motion was agreed 12 votes for and 6 votes against.
-
Léonie Cooper
AM, who proposed the motion, is
available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the
London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
