Dominic Browne 14 August 2023

Labour U-turns on support for clean air zones

Labour U-turns on support for clean air zones image
Image: Henry Franklin / Shutterstock.com.

Labour has scrapped its public support for ULEZ-style clean air zones across the country.

Following the party's national policy forum last month, it has removed a commitment to clean air zones from its draft policy plans, the Telegraph has reported.

The original draft document stated: 'Labour supports the principle of clean air zones and recognises the huge damage to human health caused by air pollution and the damage to our climate caused by carbon emissions from polluting vehicles.

'However, they must be phased in carefully, mindful of the impacts on small businesses and low-paid workers, and should be accompanied with a just transition plan to enable people to switch affordably to low-emission vehicles.'

The statement has been cut from the latest version of its national policy programme.

A Labour source reportedly told The Sunday Telegraph: 'Clean-air zones are Conservative government policy. The Tories are the ones who have pushed councils to introduce them. Labour is not in favour of extra burdens on drivers during a Tory-made cost of living crisis.'

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If this article was of interest, then check out, 'Now I am become Uxbridge, destroyer of rational climate discourse'.

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