Sadiq Khan opens Ulez scrappage scheme to all Londoners
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00:00 Air pollution and the climate crisis are the most serious public health and environmental threats we face.
00:07 In London, toxic air is inflicting untold damage from premature deaths to stunted lungs in children
00:13 and an increased risk of dementia in the elderly.
00:16 Expanding ULEZ was a difficult decision for me to take, but it was the right one.
00:20 And I remain committed to seeing it through.
00:23 We've already seen the benefits of ULEZ with cleaner air in central London and inner London.
00:29 This is not the time to step back, delay or water down vital green policies like ULEZ, and I'm not prepared to do so.
00:37 But I've continued to listen to the concerns that some Londoners have voiced
00:41 of what expanding the ULEZ will mean for them during a growing cost-of-living crisis.
00:46 As may, it's my duty to listen, and that's what I've been doing.
00:50 It's why I announced in January a ÂŁ110m scrappage and retrofit scheme to support people, businesses and charities.
00:59 It's why I announced in June that small businesses and everyone in receipt of child benefit would be eligible for support.
01:07 And it's why I'm now announcing another major expansion to the scheme, with an extra ÂŁ50m of funding from City Hall,
01:15 making it the most generous in the UK, without a penny of support from the government.
01:21 This means all Londoners with non-compliant cars and motorbikes will be able to get financial support to switch to greener, less polluting vehicles.
01:31 It means businesses can get ÂŁ7,000 scrap a van up from ÂŁ5,000.
01:36 And it means we can provide extra support to disabled Londoners, charities and those retrofitting their vans.
01:44 You know, 90% of cars seen driving on an average day in outer London are already ULES compliant,
01:50 meaning those drivers won't have to pay a penny, but will get the benefits of cleaner air.
01:56 And now every single Londoner with a non-ULES compliant vehicle will be eligible for support.
02:03 As we continue to build a greener London for everyone, I'm determined to ensure no Londoner and no small business is left behind.
02:11 With images every day on TV showing our world on fire, it's now more important than ever that we keep pushing forward with bold green policies,
02:20 while supporting people and businesses make that transition.
02:24 Anything less would be a dereliction of duty and a disaster for our people and planet.
02:29 (gentle music)