In Parliament, Munira Wilson, MP for Twickenham and Teddington, challenged the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, whether it was fair to force Londoners to pay extra tax to keep Transport for London (TfL) afloat, whilst commuters from outside London would not.

This follows reports that the Government will take direct control of TfL unless Sadiq Khan, Mayor for London, accepts measures including higher council tax for Londoners, a larger congestion charge zone and higher fares in return for emergency funding.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Munira Wilson MP said:

"In normal times, millions of people from outside London use our transport system here in London, so in order to help keep TFL afloat, does the Secretary of State think it's fair to slap a transport tax on pensioners in Whitton and Hampton in my constituency in order to subsidise commuters from Welwyn and Hatfield in his constituency?"

Grant Shapps MP, Secretary of State for Transport, responded:

"…Negotiations are still ongoing so we need to wait for the outcome of them..."

Following the exchange, Munira Wilson MP said:

"It is unbelievable Grant Shapps has refused to rule out a Tory transport tax for every Londoner. It is simply not fair to expect local residents to pay extra to subsidise commuters from outside London.

"The Government's demands to keep Transport for London are completely unreasonable, especially as they look to cut free travel for children and pensioners. This will hit those who need it most the hardest.

"I will continue to press the point in Parliament that we must get a fair deal for local residents out of the Government's negotiations with the Mayor of London."