Ealing Council have written an open letter to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan requesting him to make changes to the ULEZ scrappage scheme ahead of the expansion in August.

The ULEZ is set to expand to include all of Ealing borough from 29th August and up until yesterday, Ealing Council, like all other Labour run councils in London except Harrow, had fully supported Khan's decisions ahead of this. 

However, Ealing Council Leader Peter Mason and Deputy Leader Deirdre Costigan have written an open letter to say after discussions with concerned residents they have decided to call for more people to be included in the scrappage scheme. 

The letter read: "In recent weeks we have heard from constituents who welcome the largest-ever scrappage scheme but do not currently meet the criteria. 

"These include parents who need support to make the switch for their family car, small businesses and organisations which have booked a retrofit, but which may be completed just after the ULEZ expansion date of 29th August 2023, and small businesses are doing the right thing by providing local employment but do not currently meet the scrappage criteria. 

"So, we ask you to consider a review of the current criteria of the scrappage scheme, to look at ways of widening the eligibility to include the following areas: enabling more small businesses to fit the eligibility criteria; reviewing the grace period for drivers who have booked a retrofit for their van; widening the eligibility criteria to provide further support for parents and carers, many of whom work in jobs that keep our capital city going. 

"Your leadership on cleaning up our air has been exemplary, and most welcome. We write in the spirit of knowing that you are doing all you can to support Londoners making the transition to lower polluting vehicles. We look forward to hearing from you." 

The councils of Bexley, Bromley, Harrow, Hillingdon, and Surrey had previously been the only councils in open opposition of the expansion, with Harrow being the only Labour councils publicly opposing the decision. 

Correction to initial publication on 31st May: The open letter was written to request changes to the ULEZ scrappage scheme, not the expansion itself. Changes to the article have been made to reflect this.