Ken's Christmas wish: no C-charge

All drivers will be exempt from the congestion charge over Christmas and New Year under plans to be announced by Ken Livingstone.

The pledge, together with moves to make it easier to pay the charge, will be part of Mr Livingstone's re-election bid in the mayoral poll next month.

He also promises the congestion zone will end half an hour earlier every evening - at 6pm - to let more people drive into central London free for theatres and other entertainment. Mr Livingstone will unveil the proposals this month when he launches his campaign for a second four-year term in office.

The decision to suspend the charge for a week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day follows retailers' claims that shoppers are deterred from coming into the centre during one of the year's most important shopping periods.

The Labour candidate concedes that post-Christmas traffic levels are much lower than usual and there is no need to charge motorists, many of whom are not working and simply want to shop.

He will also introduce direct debit payment so drivers are automatically charged when they drive into the zone. Mr Livingstone will promise a permit scheme to enforce proper planning of roadworks, and aims to reduce car dependency by helping individuals find "the healthiest and most efficient transport option" to work.