Posted on the 19th May 2025 in PHTM News

LONDON COUNCILS CHAMPIONING ANTI CAR SCHEMES ACCUSED OF HYPOCRISY OVER STAFF TAXI USE

Several London councils actively promoting anti-car policies are facing accusations of hypocrisy after it was revealed they have collectively spent thousands of pounds on taxis for their own staff.

These local authorities, often lauded by cycling and environmental groups, are under scrutiny for their expenditure on chauffeurs and minicabs, seemingly contradicting their public stance on reducing car usage.

Ealing Council, which declared a climate emergency in 2019 and aims for carbon neutrality by 2030, has spent at least £30,000 on taxis over the past three years. However, the true figure is likely to be higher as the council declined to disclose taxi expenses categorized as "other business expenses."

Their own "Climate and Ecological Emergency Strategy" emphasises that most short journeys can be made by walking, cycling, or public transport to reduce emissions. Despite this, data obtained by The Times indicates their taxi spending has remained relatively consistent.

Similarly, Hackney Council, which has implemented low-traffic neighborhoods (LTNs) across a significant portion of its road network and encourages residents to "leave the car at home and walk, cycle or take public transport instead" through its "Change One Thing" initiative, has spent nearly £20,000 on cabs since 2020. Freedom of information figures show their taxi expenditure has also remained largely unchanged since 2022.

Adding to the controversy, Lambeth Council, which became notorious for ­introducing an LTN that resulted in such congestion that buses were taking two hours to travel three miles, reportedly spent £10,000 on a chauffeur-driven limousine for its mayor last year.

Joanna Marchong, Investigations Campaign Manager at the TaxPayers’ Alliance, criticised this apparent double standard, stating: “This ‘do as I say, not as I do’ attitude undermines public trust.”

In response, a spokesman for Ealing Council defended their spending, explaining: “Staff policy only permits car transport where there is no suitable alternative, such as for moving equipment or where there are accessibility or safety requirements.”

Hackney Council stated their daily taxi spending amounted to only £16 last year, adding: “We are proud of our position as a leader in active and sustainable travel, and over 90 per cent of our staff walk, cycle or use public transport to get to work.”

The Times' investigation sought information from the top ten councils rated by the Healthy Streets Scorecard, a campaign highlighting authorities promoting sustainable transport. However, most of these councils either refused to fully disclose or claimed they couldn't readily access their taxi expenditure data.


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