Rishi Sunak slaps blame for Ulez 'solely on Labour' as PM refuses to give support to struggling families
Rishi Sunak claims Labour 'solely responsible' for Ulez as he rules out support for struggling families
GB News
Rishi Sunak has blamed Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan for additional costs incurred by Ulez as he refused to provide support for families hit by the £12.50 levy.
The Prime Minister made the claim while talking to GB News’ Christopher Hope outside Kilburn Police Station in North West London.
Sunak said: “I do understand the frustration and I think the Mayor, Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party should explain to people why they think the right priority, at a time when people are already struggling with the cost-of-living, is to impose a charge of £12.50 on them every time they drive into London.”
He added: “This is solely the responsibility of the Labour Party and the Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan and Keir Starmer.
“It’s for them to explain why they think this is the right thing to do and they should do that.
“I don’t think it’s the right priority, people have made their views very clear and now it’s up to them to explain themselves.”
However, the Prime Minister has faced calls to block Khan’s Ulez expansion and was encouraged to enact a loophole in the Greater London Authority Act to prevent the £12.50 charge from reaching residents in boroughs on the edge of the capital.
Sunak vocally opposed Khan’s carbon-curbing policy while on the campaign trail ahead of the Uxbridge & South Ruislip by-election last month.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer (left) and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (right)
PA
Ulez dominated the campaign, with the Conservative Party clinging on to the once-safe seat and divisions opening up within the Labour Party, including between Southside and City Hall.
Despite facing enormous pressure to back-pedal following the by-election in West London, Khan yesterday suggested people will one day thank him for expanding Ulez.
He told GB News: “There's been lots of people today thanking me.
"I remember as an MP in 2006/7 when the Labour Government banned smoking in enclosed public spaces.
Residents living in outer London started to see Ulez signs yesterday
PA"Do you remember the noise being made then? Now people wouldn't think about reintroducing smoking in pubs."
He added: "This policy will save lives and save money."
But the Mayor of London could not help but take aim at the Prime Minister, labelling him “Prada Sunak” over his private jet use.
However, Londoners appear to want Khan to step in to help provide assistance beyond the scrappage scheme.
The Mayor of London expanded the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to cover outer boroughs yesterday
GB NewsAn opinion poll conducted by YouGov found half of Londoners believe the Mayor should do more and just 26 percent believe Khan is doing everything he reasonably can.
The survey also revealed Londoners were split on Khan's Ulez expansion, with 47 percent in favour and 42 percent against.
Residents in the capital tend to differ on the policy depending on where they live.
Inner Londoners emphatically support Ulez but a majority of those living in outer boroughs voiced opposition.
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