Key information
Request reference number: MGLA200123-7940
Date of response:
Summary of request
Your request
I writing to object on any current, those in draft initial discussions not declared out to public so far and proposed future plans by Sadiq Khan and Labour, Liberal Democrats, Green Party and any other to expand the congestion zone, ULEZ, which I deem to be having no impact but are merely causing a burden on the public. I there also ask for all plans under Freedom of Information Act too, including any that have not unofficial been declared, if they have not.
I further object to any council tax raises when households are struggling and want further information on why Council Tax should go higher, when I have seen very few benefits from the current Mayor in office.
Our response
- ULEZ and Congestion Charge
Following a public consultation that ran from 20 May to 29 July 2022, the Mayor has announced that he has decided to expand the ULEZ London-wide in August 2023. You can read his decision, including the rationale and supporting evidence base on the GLA website: MD3060 London-wide Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) Scheme | London City Hall.
The public consultation also asked for Londoners’ views on the future of road user charging in London, including what challenges it could address and what elements a future scheme could include. You can read the responses to the consultation in the Report to the Mayor on the Transport for London (TfL) website: Improving air quality and Londoners' health, tackling climate change and reducing congestion | Have Your Say Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)
Proposal 20 of the Mayor’s Transport Strategy states that the Mayor, through Transport for London, will keep existing and planned road user charging schemes, including the Congestion Charge, Low Emission Zone, Ultra Low Emission Zone and the Silvertown Tunnel schemes, under review to ensure they prove effective in further or delivery the policies and proposals of the strategy. You can read the Mayor’s Transport Strategy on the GLA website: Mayor's Transport Strategy | London City Hall
Any future proposals to introduce a new scheme or change the standards of an existing scheme (such as the ULEZ) would be subject to a further public and stakeholder consultation. Such a consultation would include information on detailed scheme proposals and their impacts.
- Council Tax
The Mayor does not want to have to increase council tax at a time when many household budgets are stretched. While he believes council tax is a regressive tax, there are no other feasible options available in order to properly fund London’s vital public services. The government’s refusal to provide the funding London needs in its local government and police finance settlements means he has been left with no choice but to help plug the gap by raising council tax by £3.21 a month at Band D. This increase is needed to ensure vital frontline public services are protected: the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade and London’s transport system