Transport for London (TfL) has recently published a list of outstanding debts related to Congestion Charges accumulated by multiple foreign embassies, consulates and commissions. The issue resurfaced during the 23 May parliamentary session at the UK’s House of Lords.
The document listing total amounts due as of December 2023 includes the Embassy of Luxembourg, with £326,675 (around €380,000) in outstanding fees. The list is topped by the United States, with a staggering £14 million (over €16 million), closely followed by Japan at £10 million.
Rounding out the bottom of the list is the Embassy of Togo, with a modest £40 which someone might have just forgotten to pay one day.
A disputed charge
The Congestion Charge was implemented in 2003 in order to reduce traffic congestion, noise and air pollution in Central London. It consists of a "£15 daily charge if you drive within the Congestion Charge zone 7:00-18:00 Monday-Friday and 12:00-18:00 Sat-Sun and bank holidays”, as described on the TfL website.London authorities consider it a “charge for a service”, akin to a parking fee, and not a tax - of which diplomats would be exempt, and is the reasoning offered by several embassies as justification for the unpaid fees.
According to the BBC, a representative of the US Embassy stated they interpret the Congestion Charge as a tax, which would place it as an exempted fee according to the 1961 Vienna Convention of Diplomatic Relations - a sentiment they claim to be shared by other diplomatic bodies.
The UK government insists they have been very transparent, on several occasions, about the nature of the charge and the need for it be respected by all Embassies in London.
TfL says it “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.”
