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Sadiq Khan accused Boris Johnson of lying to MPs after claiming that the mayor of the capital had “effectively bankrupted” Transport for London.
Mr johnson criticized his successor as mayor as a dispute over COVID-19 Financial support for TfL continues to increase.
Mr. Khan has accused Downing Street of proposing “draconian and reckless” plans in exchange for a second coronavirus rescue.
Ministers are believed to have said the government could take direct control of TfL
In a move that would be considered a nuclear option, ministers are believed to have said the government could take direct control of TfL if Khan does not accept the government’s conditions.
The mayor has said the government wants TfL to extend the £ 15 congestion charge to the north and south loop roads, bringing an additional four million Londoners to the area.
It has also been reported that TfL will be required to raise fares well above inflation, with ministers also insisting on eliminating free rides for those under 18.
In addition, Khan has claimed that a new city tax could be introduced in London, regardless of whether residents use public transport.
When asked about the reports in the Prime Minister’s Questions, Johnson told MPs: “The current mayor of London had bankrupted TfL before the coronavirus had arrived and left a huge black hole in its finances.
“Any need to make up that deficit is entirely up to him, it is entirely his responsibility.
Boris Johnson claimed his successor had ‘left a huge black hole’ in TfL’s finances
“Any expansion of the congestion charge or any other measure taken to improve TfL’s finances is the sole responsibility of the current bankrupt Labor Mayor of London.”
But Khan responded and wrote on Twitter that the prime minister “has lied.”
“Before COVID he was fixing his mess at TfL, reducing the deficit by 71% since 2016,” he said.
“COVID-19 is the sole cause of TfL’s challenges.”
Khan, who succeeded Johnson as mayor in 2016, previously told a TfL board meeting that he intended to “stand his ground and fight for a fair deal for Londoners.”
“TfL is being offered just another six months of financial support, but with draconian and reckless conditions that are unfair to London, falling disproportionately on those least able to pay them, would undermine our city’s economic recovery, and would contrast sharply with the support provided. to the private train operating companies ”, he added.
“This global pandemic will be with us for some time. We are requesting an 18-month support package to help TfL overcome the immediate crisis and aftermath, as it is unclear how quickly the fee revenue will recover.”
Labor shadow transportation secretary Jim McMahon said it was “extremely disturbing” that TfL was offered a “paperwork funding package” with “punitive terms” attached.
Pete Kavanagh, Unite’s regional secretary for London, accused ministers of “punishing the poorest Londoners for the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“Londoners are facing a triple whammy of rate hikes, higher city taxes and a massive increase in congestion zone rates,” he said.
“The poorest Londoners, who are already struggling financially as a result of losing their jobs or coping with reduced income, will be the least able to afford increases in rates, fees and city taxes.”
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