During a debate in the House of Commons about the retention and recruitment of the NHS workforce, Louie French MP raised concern over the impact of ULEZ charges on NHS and blue-light workers.
Louie expressed the impact of the ULEZ expansion on local hospitals and staff, particularly shift workers who would face £25 charges for over-night shifts and the particular impact on places like Bexley given 50% of London’s emergency service workers live outside of the capital.
Louie asked Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care:
“One of the biggest issues my local hospitals raise with me in outer London is the impact of Sadiq Khan’s ultra-low emission zone expansion, with nurses and other staff facing charges of £12.50 per shift or £25 if they are working nights. Given that 50% of London’s emergency service workers live outside the capital, does the Minister agree that the Mayor and the Labour party should stop ignoring Londoners and drop their ULEZ tax rate?”
In response, the Health Secretary stated:
“My hon. Friend raises an important point about the additional costs that the London Mayor is imposing not just on NHS staff but on all staff working in the capital, in contrast to the approach the Chancellor has taken to energy support to help staff across the workforce, including in the NHS, with the cost of living.”
