Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Ultra Low Emission Zone expanded London-wide in anti-pollution drive

The ULEZ is dubbed as a targeted scheme to get the most polluting vehicles off the road.

Ultra Low Emission Zone expanded London-wide in anti-pollution drive

The UK capital’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) targeting the most polluting vehicles with a daily surcharge will be expanded London-wide from August 2023 as part of measures to clamp down on air pollution, the Mayor of London announced on Friday (25).

Sadiq Khan claimed the move will mean five million more Londoners can breathe cleaner air once the move comes into force on August 29 next year.


Under the ULEZ scheme introduced in 2019, drivers are charged GBP 12.50 to enter the area within London's north and south-circular orbital roads, to be applied to all London boroughs from next year.

“The ULEZ so far has been transformational, reducing harmful pollution levels by almost a half in central London,” said Khan.

“But there is still far too much toxic air pollution permanently damaging the health of young Londoners and leading to thousands of early deaths every year, with the greatest number of deaths in the outer London boroughs… Expanding ULEZ is the right choice for our city and something that I know will help us to continue building a better, greener, fairer, and healthier London for everyone,” he said.

The ULEZ is dubbed as a targeted scheme to get the most polluting vehicles off the road.

“By expanding the ULEZ to encompass all of London millions of people will breathe cleaner air, preventing loss of life and long-term illness. The ULEZ will help us all breathe easy and I fully support its expansion,” said Anjali Raman-Middleton, co-founder of the climate activism group Choked Up.

In view of the cost-of-living crisis facing the UK, Khan said the ULEZ expansion will be accompanied by a brand-new GBP 110 million scrappage scheme to support Londoners on lower incomes and those with smaller businesses.

Under the scheme, successful scrappage applicants will receive a grant to scrap their polluting vehicles. Such car owners can opt to receive a smaller grant accompanied by up to two free annual bus and tram passes, as part of a financial package.

“All the money raised by ULEZ will be pumped back into funding local public transport and I’m pleased to announce today (Friday) that we are planning the biggest-ever expansion of the bus network in outer London,” added Khan.

According to the Mayor’s office, expanding ULEZ London-wide will save 27,000 tonnes of CO2 in outer London, nearly double that which the central London ULEZ achieved in its first year of operation.

Amongst other improvements, the expansion is forecast to make further progress to reduce air pollution, by reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from cars and vans in outer London by 10 and 7 per cent respectively, and reducing PM 2.5 car exhaust emissions in outer London by nearly 16 per cent, benefitting five million outer London residents.

“Our experience of these schemes shows that they work, with significant reductions in pollution since the first zone was introduced in 2019,” said Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer for Transport for London (TfL) – in charge of the city’s public transport network.

“Expanding the ULEZ is vital for public health in this city. We know that there are more deaths that are attributed to toxic air in the city’s outer boroughs and that bringing in these world-leading standards over a larger area will see millions more breathing cleaner air,” he said."

(PTI)

More For You

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less