Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan is facing backlash of his Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) scrappage scheme, as some suggest it's not going far enough and needs to be reconsidered. 

The scheme was put in place following the news that the ULEZ would be expanding across all of Greater London this summer, seeing non-compliant vehicles pay a daily charge of £12.50. 

To help support Londoners on lower incomes, Khan created the £110 million scrappage scheme which will mean that those who are eligible will receive a grant to scrap or retrofit their vehicle for certain vans and minibuses.

However, as the expansion draws closer, there have been calls for Khan to reconsider the ULEZ scrappage scheme. 

Sadiq Khan faces calls to double the ULEZ scrappage scheme

It comes as the Liberal Democrats ask the Mayor to double the size of the ULEZ scrappage scheme from £110m to £220m. 

Romford Recorder: The ULEZ scrappage scheme aims to help low income Londoners. The ULEZ scrappage scheme aims to help low income Londoners. (Image: PA)

Although the Libs Dems are not the first to express their concern over the expansion, as recent days have seen several Labour MPs, including Lewisham West & Penge Ellie Reeves, share they think the scheme doesn't cover enough people. 

Currently, the scheme covers lower-income Londeors, who have a disability, are sole traders, charities and small businesses. 

Previously the Lib Dems proposed an amendment to the Mayor’s budget in February this year to double the size of the ULEZ scrappage scheme to £220 million by drawing money from City Hall’s reserves.

The proposal gained backing from Conservative, Green Party and Labour politicians in City Hall but was ultimately voted down. 

But now, the Lib Dems have asked Sadiq Khan to reconsider their proposals stating that the remaining balances on the transport or environmental improvement reserve have not been allocated yet. 

Romford Recorder: The Lib Dems have called for the ULEZ scrappage scheme to be expanded. The Lib Dems have called for the ULEZ scrappage scheme to be expanded. (Image: PA)

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari AM shared they were "disappointed" that the proposal had been voted down, sharing: "Even Labour’s own MPs can see that the Mayor’s scrappage scheme doesn’t go far enough.

"I was disappointed that Labour politicians voted down our plans for a fairer scheme earlier this year.

"However, it isn’t too late, the Mayor could change his mind and use these unallocated reserves to support families seeking to make changes ahead of the planned Ulez expansion later this summer.

"If the Mayor is to push forward ULEZ expansion on his current timescale, he must ensure people are adequately supported."

Mayor of London responds to calls to expand ULEZ scrappage scheme 

Following the discussion that the ULEZ scrappage scheme needs to be expanded, the Mayor's office has confirmed that the number of eligible people will be increased. 

It will mean that all families on child benefits and small businesses with less than 50 employees will be able to access the scheme as well as care workers and charities.

The expansion will begin at the end of July and will mean that more than 870,000 families in London and a further 570,000 in outer London on child benefit will be able to access the scheme.