Ulez scrappage scheme will be extended - but not to Watford

London mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that very Londoner with a polluting car facing charges under Ulez will now be able to receive a grant of up to £2,000 to support an upgrade.

However, although Watford’s mayor and Hertfordshire’s county council leader, councillor Richard Roberts wrote to Mr Khan calling for the scrappage scheme to be extended to Hertfordshire, the county still won’t get the help.

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The Labour mayor said that while he will not “step back, delay, or water down” the policy to tackle air pollution, he is widening the scrappage scheme after listening to residents’ unease about Ulez amid a cost-of-living crisis.

While previously only child benefit recipients, low-income, and disabled people were eligible for scrappage grants, from August 21 all Londoners with non-Ulez compliant cars or motorcycles can apply.

He also announced that small businesses and sole traders can get £21,000 to junk up to three vans, with £27,000 available for charities to replace three minibuses.

Ulez sign (Image: PA)

In February, Sadiq Khan had called on the Government to match the £110 million he allocated for London’s scheme to pay for an expansion to the home counties, including Hertfordshire.

This move was labelled “too little too late” by Watford’s mayor, who said he agreed the Government should contribute but added “Sadiq Khan should also contribute”.

“Watford deserves better than being caught in the crossfire between the Labour Mayor and Conservative government,” he added.

After a high court challenge to the scheme was shot down last week, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Watford Matt Turmaine said the government has “totally failed to put the right measures in place such as supporting a proper scrappage scheme to help people change their cars and vans”.

It comes ahead of the Ulez expansion to beyond the capital’s north and south circular roads on August 29.

Drivers of vehicles which do not meet minimum emissions standards are charged a £12.50 daily fee for entering the zone.

Watford’s MP Dean Russell has also branded the expansion “unfair”, particularly on Watford residents who only drive into the zone briefly for work or to visit loved ones.