THE government was accused today of hitting Londoners with a “triple whammy” of higher costs in return for Covid-related funding for Transport for London (TfL).

Mayor Sadiq Khan called on ministers to reconsider “ill-advised and draconian” proposals, while unions pledged resistance to “savage” attacks on transport workers’ pensions.

Mr Khan said that the government wanted to extend the £15 congestion charge zone to the north and south circular roads in 12 months’ time, which would see the zone expanded to cover around four million more Londoners.