Expansion of capital’s clean air zone ‘will price carers off roads’

PATIENT safety will be put at risk by plans to expand London’s clean air zone because hundreds of carers will be priced out of driving, industry chiefs warned yesterday.

The boss of Care England, Martin Green, said that Sadiq Khan’s plans were ‘ terribly unfair’ on key workers.

If the expansion goes ahead the NHS staff shortages crisis will become ‘even more acute’ in the capital, he warned, calling on the mayor to rethink the move.

He said the worst hit would be carers who drive from house to house providing help.

And Nadra Ahmed, chairman of the National Care Association, said: ‘The expansion of the ultra- low emission zone is another stealth tax which will make delivering care services in the capital and surrounding areas ever more challenging.

‘I would call on the mayor to seriously consider making concessions for social care.’

Around 200,000 more vehicles will be clobbered with a £12.50 daily charge by the expansion. The ULEZ zone will expand across the whole of Greater London, beyond the M25 and into the home counties in some areas.

It charges older polluting vehicles – typically pre-2015 diesels and pre-2006 petrols – for driving within the zone in a bid to encourage motorists to buy cleaner vehicles. Mr Khan is pressing ahead with the plans despite a majority – around 60 per cent – of respondents opposing it in a consultation.

Professor Green said many key workers could not afford newer models and that the expansion, which comes into effect next August, was the equivalent of up to a 15 per cent tax on takehome pay. There are around 230,000 care workers in London, earning on average just under £24,000. But the monthly ULEZ charges will amount to £244 for those sucked into it.

Professor Green told LBC: ‘It’s terribly unfair. It will increase the pressure, which is enormous, on care services and on health services. Already we have huge problems getting staff, particularly to deliver care in peoples’ own home. This is going to make it even worse.

‘Mr Khan seems to have no understanding of the impact this will have on the most vulnerable. That includes the people receiving services.’

Mr Khan says the expansion will save 27,000 tons of CO2 being emitted in outer London.

His spokesman added: ‘The mayor has listened to Londoners throughout this process and has asked Transport for London to explore what further support could be provided to care workers who may not have compliant vehicles in London.’

Londoners with disabilities need not pay until October 2027.

‘Huge problems getting staff’