Figures obtained by Caroline Pidgeon, leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, reveal that in the 7.5 years that Boris Johnson has been Mayor of London the level of unpaid Congestion Charge by embassies and diplomatic missions based in London has soared from £17.3 million to £95.3 million. It is now likely that the total level of unpaid Congestion Charge will pass £100 million by the end of Boris Johnson’s term as Mayor of London.
Commenting on the latest figures, Caroline Pidgeon said:
"It is disgraceful that over £93 m is now being denied to Londoners by embassies and diplomatic missions that dodge paying the Congestion Charge.
"The small minority of embassies that think it is acceptable to evade paying the charge are insulting each and every Londoner.
“The Mayor claims he has been trying to persuade non paying embassies and diplomatic missions to change their policy, but all the evidence is that his efforts have totally failed.
“Back in December 2009 the London Assembly called on Boris Johnson to write to every head of state which had an embassy in London that didn't pay the Congestion Charge and told the Mayor to publish online the responses he received. Boris Johnson casually rejected this plan and has instead allowed the unpaid Congestion Charge bill to soar during his time at City Hall.”