SADIQ Khan has defended his decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London, comparing it to Labour’s ban on smoking tobacco in public.
In an exclusive interview with GB News, the Mayor of London also defended his controversial comments about opponents of ULEZ and dubbed the Prime Minister “Prada Sunak” due to his use of helicopters.
He told GB News: “The decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone to all of London was a difficult one. It wasn’t an easy one. But I think it’s a vital decision and it’s right, and I’m going to tell you why.
“We now know the evidence in relation to the consequences of air pollution, at least, there were around 4,000 premature deaths a year. That leads to children having stunted lungs forever, adults with a whole host of health issues from asthma to cancer, dementia to heart disease.
“We also know that one of the most effective ways to reduce air pollution is with ULEZ.”
In a discussion with Christopher Hope, he continued: “In central London, we’ve seen a reduction of around 50% of toxicity, nitrogen dioxide, all also a third fewer children being admitted to hospital with air pollution related illnesses.
“When we expanded it to inner London, we saw a further reduction of 21% in nitrogen dioxide. Now children going to 1,400 schools are breathing clean air, but here’s the problem.
“The problem in outer London is where the 10 boroughs with the largest amount of premature deaths are, it’s in outer London where two thirds of Londoners with respiratory issues live.
“And it’s in outer London where 24 of the 30 GP practices with the worst respiratory problems are.”
He added: “There’s been lots of people today who’ve been thanking me. I remember as an MP…in 2006/7 when the Labour government banned smoking in enclosed public spaces, you’ll remember the noise being made then.
“And now people won’t think about reintroducing smoking in pubs. You study history. In the 1950s, a brave Tory government passed the Clean Air Act, which meant power stations were removed from the centre of our cities.”
Mr Khan also criticised Prime Minister Rishi Sunak for favouring traveling in a helicopter: “Well, I’ve come today using public transport, like I do most days. I walk, cycle, use public transport wherever I can, but also I’m somebody who, like the Prime Minister, has police protection. He rides the helicopter because, you know, for other reasons, not because he needs police protection.”
After it was suggested it was because he was busy, Mr Khan said: “Well, so am I, by the way, so was Prime Minister Blair, Prime Minister Brown, and Prime Minister Thatcher.
“I didn’t see them riding helicopters, enjoying themselves, like the Prada Sunak does.”
On public concern over the expansion of ULEZ, he said: “I’m always sorry for anybody who’s suffering adverse consequences because of our policies. But at the same time, I’ve got to be honest with people and say I’ve been meeting bereaved mums who’ve lost their children because of air pollution.
“I’ve been meeting a paediatrician today, who works with mums who are pregnant suffering the consequences because of air pollution and babies who are born suffering the consequences.”
On describing opponents of ULEZ as Covid deniers and Nazis, he said: “Well, I went to a people’s question time in Ealing and outside that question time there were lots of decent Londoners and those outside London who had concerns around the ULEZ, but also I saw banners, and you can’t deny we’ve seen a banners outside people’s question time, people latching on to the general concerns.”
Asked if the expansion was a precursor to a future road-charging scheme, he said: “No, not at all. Let me be quite clear about this mischief put up by the Tories.
“It’s no secret that this Government, the former mayor, TfL, and so forth have been looking into the issue of road user charging. And the main reason why they’ve looked at smart technology is because the revenues raised from fuel goes down.
“When Boris Johnson was mayor, his mayor’s transport strategy talked about road user charging, when Rishi Sunak was chancellor he asked his officials in the Treasury to look into a national road pricing scheme.
“Let me be quite clear, as long as I’m Mayor, there will be no pay-per-mile scheme but the Government are looking into this for the reasons I’ve said.”
