Encouraging drivers to shift from private vehicles to public transport in London fails to recognise the need of consumers and builders alike, who need to enter London's congestion zone to carry out essential repairs to maintain the fabric of London's built environment, warns the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Speaking in response to Ken Livingstone's announcement that the congestion charge for larger cars and small vans in central London will increase to £25, Iain McIlwee, FMB London Director said: "The need to tackle to climate change and cut carbon emissions is right in principle but not when it penalises small building firms who have to rely on their vans to carry out their business. The new CO2 charges ignore the fact that builders need access to get into central London to carry out essential repairs and maintenance work which in itself often helps to improve the energy efficiency of London's building stock."

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He continued: "What is really concerning is that small businesses, the backbone of the British economy, are having to pay for wider political objectives. That is not right because London's problems need London wide solutions and should not be at the expense of any one particular group such as small businesses who are merely trying to earn an honest crust."

(CD/JM)