In a conversation with Dr. Hilary Jones, Sir Sadiq Khan defended the expansion of the ULEZ, emphasizing that the initiative aims to combat air pollution rather than being anti-car. He described the policy as a mix of incentives and penalties designed to reduce toxic emissions from older vehicles. Khan cited significant improvements in vehicle compliance and air quality since the policy's implementation, despite criticism from Tory opponents who argue it disproportionately impacts low-income drivers. He reinforced that the objective is public health, highlighting financial support schemes to facilitate transitions to cleaner vehicles.
We had to have a combination of carrots and sticks. So the first thing is, this is not an anti-motorist policy. I'm not anti-car. I love driving. The issue is anti-poison.
If you’re driving a non-compliant vehicle, an older diesel or petrol car, you as the driver are breathing in poison. Your kids in the back, they're breathing in poison.
What we did from City Hall is give support financially in terms of a scrappage scheme, to make it as easy as possible for a small business, for a charity, for a family to transition.
When I began this journey in London, there were only 39 per cent of vehicles compliant. It's now 97 per cent of vehicles that are compliant.
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