Calls for Government to introduce national clean air fund to support ULEZ scrappage scheme

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.