Labour frontbencher suggests ULEZ expansion needs rethinking

       A Labour frontbencher has attacked Sadiq Khan's ULEZ expansion the day before it comes into force.

       Justin Madders, the shadow minister for employment rights, said the London Mayor needs to "think about whether this really is the right time to be going ahead with it".

       The zone, which currently only covers central London, is set to widen to the whole of the capital from tomorrow, meaning more drivers will be forced to pay the ￡12.50 daily fee for the most polluting vehicles.

       But Mr Madders said it will be an "expense too many" amid the cost of living crisis.

       He told LBC: “I think he probably needs to be listening to some of the callers you’ve been having on and how it’s affecting them, and think about whether this really is the right time to be going ahead with it.

       Sadiq Khan has sparked a backlash over his ULEZ expansion (Image: PA)

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       “We know there’s a massive cost of living crisis at the moment. And asking people to shell out thousands to buy a new vehicle or pay ￡12.50 every day to go on the road is just an expense too many, too much at this time."

       Mr Madders is the latest Labour politician to break ranks to criticise the expansion.

       Labour's loss in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election was blamed on the controversial policy.

       Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been under growing pressure to intervene to stop the move.

       He called on Mr Khan to "reflect" on the rollout following the defeat in Boris Johnson's former seat.

       The widening of the zone has also come under heavy criticism from the Conservatives.

       Susan Hall, the Tory candidate for next May's London mayoral elections, has vowed to reverse the expansion on day one if she takes power.

       Meanwhile, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has sought to portray himself as on the side of "motorists" and create a dividing line between the Conservatives and Labour ahead of the next general election.

       But Mr Khan, who is seeking a historic third time in office, has refused to delay or scrap the controversial move.

       He has made a scrappage scheme aimed at helping motorists with the costs of buying ULEZ-compliant cars more generous, with grants of ￡2,000 available to all Londoners to junk a car.

       But critics have insisted the ￡2,000 payment does not go far enough.

       The expansion will be rolled out to all 32 London boroughs from midnight on Tuesday in a bid to boost air quality.

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