"Foreign diplomats owe a staggering 165 million in unpaid congestion charges, according to new figures. The American embassy has the biggest debt at 15.9 million, followed by China (11.5 million), Japan (10.9 million) and India (10.1 million), Transport for London has revealed. Meanwhile, the embassies of Indonesia (90), Togo (120), the Netherlands and Peru (both 180) have the smallest outstanding bills among the 146 diplomatic missions that owe money."
"In accordance with international law as reflected in the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, our position is that the congestion charge is a tax from which diplomatic missions are exempt. "Our long-standing position is shared by many other diplomatic missions in London." A TfL spokesperson said: "We continue to pursue all unpaid congestion charges and related penalty charge notices.""
Foreign diplomatic missions owe £165 million in unpaid London congestion charges accumulated since the charge began in 2003 up to 30 September 2025. The American embassy has the largest outstanding balance at £15.9 million, followed by China (£11.5 million), Japan (£10.9 million) and India (£10.1 million). The smallest outstanding bills include Indonesia (£90), Togo (£120), and the Netherlands and Peru (both £180) among 146 owing missions. Motorists in central London face an £18 daily charge (7am–6pm weekdays, noon–6pm weekends and bank holidays) and a £180 penalty for non-payment. TfL says diplomats are not exempt; the US cites the 1961 Vienna Convention and claims exemption. TfL continues to pursue unpaid charges.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]