Sustained pressure from Conservative led Councils has caused the Mayor of London to expand the ULEZ grant and scrappage scheme.
Previously, the basic grant for a car or van was only available to certain individuals, but will now be extended to all households in Greater London. This will allow people with a non-ULEZ compliant vehicle eligible for a basic grant of £2,000 towards the cost of replacing their vehicle.
In addition, Sadiq Khan has recognised concerns raised by Conservatives that ULEZ expansion would detrimentally impact sole traders and small businesses. The grant for replacing non-compliant vans has risen from £5,000 to £7,000, with businesses able to claim this grant for up to three vans.
The previous sum of up to £7,000 for replacing a minibus has also been increased to £9,000, and the grant to retrofit a van or minibus has been increased by £1,000.
Listening to the impact that ULEZ expansion will have on more vulnerable residents, the Mayor has doubled the grants available to replace a wheelchar-accessible vehicle from £5,000 to £10,000.
Whilst these measures are welcome, this does not go far enough, and needs to be extended to the Home Counties surrounding Greater London that will be impacted by Sadiq Khan's decision to expand ULEZ.
Surrey County Council continues to push the Mayor and TfL for greater mitigations for residents in our county, having previously suggested measures including the expansion of Zone 6 and better public transport links, so that businesses and Surrey residents are not detrimentally impacted by ULEZ expansion.