Sadiq Khan ‘snubs’ talks on Ulez scrappage Cars for Ukraine scheme with team from Kyiv
Sadiq Khan, the London Mayor, originally blocked the scheme from being set up - Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Sadiq Khan has been accused of snubbing talks about sending non-compliant Ulez cars to Ukraine.
A delegation from Kyiv visited the UK earlier in May to hold meetings about improving the efficiency of a scheme which allows cars that were due to be scrapped under Ulez to instead be sent to Eastern Europe’s front line.
However, the team of Ukrainians, who are aides to Vitali Klitschko, the capital’s mayor, were unable to secure a meeting with the London Mayor, which they were told was because of purdah rules linked to the mayoral elections.
On May 2 they instead met Mark Harper, the Transport Secretary, and Michael Gove, the Communities Secretary.
Mr Khan had originally blocked the scheme from being set up and Mr Gove helped it get under way in 2023.
A convoy of 20 vehicles that were donated through the Ulez scrappage scheme arrived in Ukraine over the weekend.
British-Ukrainian Aid (BUAID) said the vehicles would be used for humanitarian and medical purposes during the conflict with Russia.
More than 100 vehicles have been donated to Ukraine through the Ulez programme since March 15.
It is thought that around half have arrived and a further 13 vehicles are en route.
‘Snubbed by Mayor Khan’s office’
Richard Lofthouse, a volunteer representing the Cars for Ukraine campaign, told The Telegraph: “It just seems incredible that after making so much public statement about his close relationships with Kyiv, and despite having never taken up an invitation by Mayor Klitschko to visit, that when Kyiv then sends its own delegation to London they are snubbed by Mayor Khan’s office.
“There are purdah rules about publicity that everyone knows about, but not to even lay on a private cup of tea?”
It is understood that the Mayor’s team were aware that a delegation was to visit London at the end of April to raise the profile of the Ukraine scrappage scheme. However, they said they were not invited to a meeting with government ministers and Kyiv representatives on May 2.
William Lewis, 80, who owns the field where BUAID is housing cars ready to be taken to Ukraine, told The Telegraph: “We should be further down the track than we are at the moment.”
He said the difficulties had occurred because it was being run by “volunteers holding down full-time jobs”.
Mr Lewis added: “I have a meeting with TfL this week and the Ukrainian embassy, to look at a change of structure in order to function in a more efficient way.”
The Ulez area was expanded by Mr Khan to include the whole of the capital in August 2023, making it the world’s largest pollution-charging area.
People who drive in the zone in a vehicle that does not meet minimum emissions standards are required to pay a £12.50 daily fee.
A £160 million scheme run by TfL enables residents, small businesses, sole traders and charities scrapping non-compliant cars to claim grants.
Vehicles must serve a function
For a scrapped vehicle to be sent to Ukraine, it must serve a function such as assisting with medical aid or evacuating people from dangerous areas.
A BUAID spokesman said: “We remain enormously grateful for the support given to us by the mayors of London and Kyiv and by our many partners, supporters and donors.
“Vehicles that would have gone to scrap are saving lives in Ukraine, and we know that every one of them is valued and valuable.
“It is great to see people showing the Dunkirk spirit that Churchill talked about in World War Two, making transport available to those under threat from a ruthless enemy.”
The Mayor of London’s office said: “Since the mayor amended the Ulez scrappage scheme to enable Londoners to donate non-compliant vehicles to Ukraine, more than 100 vehicles have been donated. This past weekend a convoy of 20 vehicles was delivered to Ukraine, bringing the total number of vehicles in the county to 55. Thirteen more vehicles are on the way.
“This scheme enables Londoners to donate non-compliant vehicles to help with vital medical and humanitarian work, while also helping to remove old, polluting vehicles from London’s roads, creating a greener London for all.”
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