Diplomatic missions in London collectively owe £143.5 million in unpaid congestion charges, prompting Transport for London to consider escalating the issue to the International Court of Justice. Here’s the full story.
International Diplomacy
Embassies are a crucial part of international diplomacy, with each one acting as a base for that country’s ambassador and its international image abroad.
£143.5 Million
However, it appears that all may not be well for foreign embassies based in the UK. Transport for London (TfL) reports that several embassies in London have accumulated a total of £143.5 million in unpaid congestion charges in the nation’s capital.
Daily £15 Fee
The congestion charge, implemented in 2003, aims to reduce traffic in central London by imposing a daily fee of £15 on most vehicles operating in the designated zone.
Surprisingly Unfruitful
Efforts to resolve the issue of non-payment of fines through diplomatic channels have been surprisingly unfruitful, with TfL threatening to take the matter to the International Court of Justice if the matter is not solved to its satisfaction.
“Stubborn Minority”
TfL stated that, despite repeated attempts to get embassies to cough up the money they owe, “there remains a stubborn minority who refuse to do so, despite our representations through diplomatic channels.”
“International Court of Justice”
They continued, “We will continue to pursue all unpaid congestion charge fees and related penalty charge notices, and are pushing for the matter to be taken up at the international court of justice.”
Everything’s Bigger in America
By far, the largest single offender among the diplomatic missions in London is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the US embassy.
£15 Million
Despite relocating from Grosvenor Square to Nine Elms, just outside the congestion zone, in 2018, the embassy has continued to rack up eye-watering fines, totalling £15 million.
Service Fee
TfL was at pains to emphasise that the congestion charge is a service fee, not a tax, and therefore, diplomats are not exempt and will be expected to pay.
“Not Exempt”
A TfL spokesperson stated, “We are clear that foreign diplomats and consular staff are not exempt from paying the congestion charge. We continue to pursue all unpaid congestion charges and related penalty charge notices.”
£10.1 Million
The next nation’s embassy that has been reluctant to pay the congestion charge is, somewhat surprisingly, Japan, which owes £10.1 million.
The Naughty List
Close behind is India’s High Commission, which owes £8.6 million in unpaid charges, with other notable offenders including Nigeria, China and Russia.
Considerable Sums
Nigeria’s tab is sitting at £8 million, China is on the hook for £7.93 million, and Russia, which has considerable money problems considering it’s currently financing its war in Ukraine, owes TfL £6 million.
£40
However, some of the amounts owed by embassies are trifling, with the West African nation of Togo owing a measly £40.
Best in Class
In contrast to the bad boy embassies, Scandinavian embassies are the best in class when it comes to paying any congestion charges. Denmark and Sweden, in particular, have fully paid all their congestion charges.
“Press for Payment”
The UK government has actively sought to address this rather embarrassing issue, with then-Foreign Secretary Dominic Rabb stating in February 2020 that government officials had written to “a number of diplomatic missions and international organisations” to “press for payment.”
More Stringent Measures
Despite these efforts, many embassies remain non-compliant, forcing the UK and TfL to consider more stringent measures.
ULEZ
TfL did not provide figures for payments relating to Ulez, the new Ultra Low Emissions Zones introduced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, but generally, embassies lease newer model cars that are environmentally friendly enough to avoid the charge.
Wry Smiles
The ongoing issue of unpaid congestion charges by foreign embassies in London, particularly that of the United States, apparently Britain’s staunchest ally, may raise a few wry smiles for Londoners who have been caught out by the charges.
Failed or Refused?
However, the fact that so many embassies have resoundingly failed or refused to pay what they owe has led to an unprecedentedly robust response from TfL.
How the Mighty Have Fallen
Many will wonder, if the UK government cannot ensure that fines are paid in the capital city of London by nations with which the UK has mostly a good working relationship, what hope might they have for the running of the country?
Late Fees
However, whether the release of these eye-watering sums by TfL will lead to any nations ashamedly paying their bills remains to be seen.
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