Gareth Johnson said he was pleased the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Secretary agreed with him in condemning the Mayor of London’s decision to extend the ULEZ across the capital, which will effectively tax Dartfordians travelling into the capital.
During Business questions in the House of Commons, Mr Johnson asked the BEIS Secretary Grant Shapps to condemn the scheme.
Mr Johnson said: “Will the secretary of state join me in condemning the London Mayor in extending the ULEZ scheme out to the whole of London. This will have significant impact on businesses both inside London and outside London creating a financial wall between London and the rest of the country and particularly hitting areas like Dartford hard who of course have no say in who the actual mayor of London actually is."
In response, Mr Shapps said: “Absolutely right, voters will have their say, I say no taxation without representation."
Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor announced on Friday he would expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone to the whole of London next year. The plan is for it to start in August 2023.
Mr Johnson has vocally opposed these plans, which would see drivers of cars, smaller vans, motorbikes and other lighter vehicles, which do not meet the ULEZ standard, pay £12.50 daily if they cross the boundary into London.
Following the question, Mr Johnson said: “Both businesses and individuals in Dartford will be hit hard by this taxation brought in by the Labour Mayor of London. The scheme has nothing to do with pollution.
“If it was about that he would ban these vehicles from entering London but he doesn’t want to ban them, he wants to make money out of them and in doing so he will hit ordinary Dartfordians with a daily charge just for getting on with their lives.
“Dartfordians shouldn’t be made to balance the London Mayor’s books.”
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