Sadiq Khan's Ulez backlash: Devastating figures expose widespread hatred at expansion of car levy
The London Mayor is facing backlash at his plans
Yui Mok
Sadiq Khan is ploughing ahead with the expansion of the Ultra-Low Emission Zone in London despite widespread backlash against the plans, an exclusive GB News poll has found.
The Mayor of London is facing mounting pressure to ditch the boundary changes which will mean 200,000 more drivers a day being forced to pay the £12.50 vehicle emissions levy.
It forces drivers of old and diesel vehicles to pay the charge every time they turn on their car to help improve air quality.
Only 24 per cent of the public said they support this plan, with 46 per cent opposing. A further 31 per cent of the public say they don't know or prefer not to say.
Most Britons are against the expansion of the Ulez zone
GB News
In London, 35 per cent of people support the plan, whereas 45 per cent are against it.
People Polling surveyed 1,148 Britons on February 15.
Commenting, politics expert Professor Matt Goodwin, said: "Charging people to move their cars as a way of improving air quality might please members of the elite but we find that only a minority of the public are in favour.
“Only one quarter of the country support the extension of the Ulez while a much larger number are opposed to it.
"This suggests that Sadiq Khan has some way to go if he is to convince a sceptical public of the need to make this change because, so far, voters are not in favour."
Khan has made improving the air quality in London one of the central pledges of his mayoralty.
His poor polling on his flagship policy comes after Khan announced in December that he was planning to seek a third term as Mayor of London when the next election is held.
The new Ulez boundaries are set to come into force on August 29 this year, after being drawn up by the Labour politician last November.
Five councils have joined together to launch a judicial review into the Ulez expansion, claiming there was “inadequate consultation” of the plans.
Sadiq Khan has vowed to push ahead with the Ulez expansion despite significant opposition
Kirsty O'Connor
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: "We will be defending any challenge to this vital scheme.
"Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely every year due to air pollution.
"The Mayor is determined to protect the lives of Londoners who are growing up with stunted lungs and more at risk of heart disease, cancer and dementia due to our toxic air.
"The Mayor urges the councils involved to abandon this costly and unnecessary legal challenge and instead focus on the health of those they represent."