A copy of Julia’s full update to those residents who have interacted with Julia on the ULEZ can be viewed below this article.

Since it was first consulted upon, Julia Lopez MP has voiced her own and her constituents’ vehement opposition to the ULEZ expansion. The Mayor of London has steadfastly refused to acknowledge that a clear majority of Londoners have voiced that they do not support the expansion and, following the outcome of the Judicial Review brought by five Conservative-led Councils, the expanded ULEZ will now apply from 29 August.

Alongside voicing her opposition to the expanded as a whole, Julia has also been clear in her arguments to the Mayor that the scrappage scheme offered to those with non-complaint vehicles is insufficient to provide a meaningful contribution to the replacement of their vehicle and that the scheme is too restrictive in terms of those that could access it. Rather than heed the growing calls for him to abandon the policy, the Mayor of London has instead expanded the scrappage scheme, such that from 21 August all owners of non-compliant vehicles will be eligible to apply for the scrappage scheme.

While this announcement is far too late to be of help for many, who will still be liable for the daily £12.50 tax for using their vehicle when the expanded ULEZ comes into force, Julia does encourage all constituents alongside businesses, traders and charities in the constituency, to register and apply for scrappage payments and/or exemptions as soon as possible. Full details and advice for applicants can be found at:
https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/scrappage-schemes

Julia's update

You are receiving this update as we have communicated previously on the Mayor’s deeply damaging decision to expand the ULEZ to all of Greater London.

As you will know from our earlier exchanges, I have been vehemently opposed to this policy since it was first consulted upon and I, along with Conservative colleagues across London, have represented the constituency’s opposition to the Mayor as robustly as we can. Regrettably, even in defiance of his party leader, the Mayor has confirmed his intention to impose this daily tax upon outer-Londoners, many of whom are unable to avoid the use of their car.

Many of you will be aware of the Judicial Review, brought by five Conservative Councils, against the Mayor’s decision and will know already that, on Friday 28 July, the High Court ruled that the decision was lawful.

As in all Judicial Reviews, the High Court did not judge the policy itself but merely whether the Mayor of London and Transport for London had followed the correct process when making the decision to proceed with the policy. In its ruling the Court found that the legal basis on which the decision was made was sound and that it could legally apply to all roads within the expanded zone.

While this confirms the Mayor had the power to make such a decision, it does not consider the impact it will have upon residents and businesses in Havering where the improvements it will offer in terms of air quality are negligible. I therefore wrote to the Mayor on 1 August to ask him once more to consider the calls from the overwhelming majority of Londoners and members of the Shadow Cabinet to stop the expansion. A full copy of this letter can be viewed on my website here.

Regrettably, though not unexpectedly, the Mayor’s announcement since then has been to proceed with the expansion though he has expanded the eligibility for the scrappage scheme such that all owners of non-compliant vehicles will be able to apply from 21 August. You may recall from my submissions to the Mayor that I have consistently highlighted my views that the scrappage scheme was both insufficient, in that it did not provide a meaningful contribution to the costs of replacing a vehicle, and too restrictive in those that could apply to it. Instead of heeding those arguments, made by many, when they were made the Mayor has instead waited till the 11th hour before expanding the scrappage scheme. This has meant that many Londoners will have already spent thousands in replacing their vehicles and a great many others will have only eight days between being eligible to apply for the scrappage scheme and being liable to the £12.50 daily charge.

This is clearly a poor way to make policy and a terrible way to treat the finances of hard-working Londoners, seriously undermining their ability to plan family budgets.

While I remain deeply opposed to the expansion and continue to consider that the scrappage scheme is insufficient, I do encourage constituents to limit their exposure to this daily tax by checking the compliance of their vehicle and applying for any scrappage support or exemptions as soon as possible. Full details are outlined on TfL’s website at: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/ultra-low-emission-zone/scrappage-schemes

Finally, Conservatives are continuing to oppose the ULEZ and, if you have not done so already, you may wish to sign our petition at: https://action.conservatives.com/stop-drivers-tax/

With best wishes,

Julia