In the run-up to the London mayoral election, Sadiq Khan pledges no expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone or a pay-per-mile scheme, amidst reactions from opposing candidates and ongoing discussions about the city’s air pollution and public transport cuts.
In the lead-up to the London mayoral election on May 2, incumbent Mayor Sadiq Khan has pledged not to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) or introduce a pay-per-mile scheme if re-elected. Khan’s announcement aims to provide certainty for drivers, despite his continued focus on addressing air pollution in the capital. His statement explicitly assures no new emissions standards will be implemented within the existing Ulez framework.
This commitment has prompted reactions from mayoral candidates across the political spectrum. Conservative candidate Susan Hall questioned the credibility of Khan’s promise, citing past instances she perceives as contradictory. Conversely, Liberal Democrat Rob Blackie suggested the Ulez extension was rushed, disadvantaging outer London residents and tradespeople reliant on vans. The Green party has not yet commented on Khan’s latest environmental policy stance.
In a separate development, almost 700,000 scheduled London bus journeys were cut between 2022 and 2023, a 1.9% reduction from the previous year. Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney has criticized these cuts, stressing their impact on outer boroughs reliant on public transport. Mayor Khan’s office attributed the reduced services to financial strains and government funding conditions, while highlighting the Superloop initiative designed to boost outer London’s bus connectivity.
Additionally, Tory MP Andrew Rosindell has called for more autonomy for traditional boroughs like Havering from City Hall, labelling Khan’s mayoral tenure as “catastrophic.” Khan, however, defended his inclusive approach to governance, aiming to serve all Londoners across the city’s diverse boroughs. Havering, which became part of Greater London in 1965, plays a central role in this ongoing debate about the capital’s administrative and governance structure. With the election drawing near, these issues are front and centre in candidates’ campaigns and voters’ considerations.
