Sir Sadiq Khan has praised the controversial Ulez scheme as new data shows that clean air policies contributed to toxic air rates dropping by around 40 per cent.
Research from Imperial College London found that the estimated deaths associated with air pollution in the capital fell by 40 per cent between 2019 and 2024.
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels plummeted by 41 per cent, while fine particulate pollution (PM2.5), which can cause respiratory problems, fell 28 per cent.
The significant reduction in pollution comes after London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan introduced the Ultra Low Emission Zone in central London in April 2019.
It was expanded to inner London in 2021, before being extended to cover all of Greater London in August 2023, with nine million people now included in the scheme.
Data from 2019 showed that air pollution was responsible for around 4,000 premature deaths, prompting the Mayor to introduce Ulez, which is now the world’s largest clean air zone.
Using updated methodology, estimates show a reduction in premature deaths between 6,400 and 8,000 in 2019, and 3,800 to 5,100 in 2024.
Commenting on the new data, Sir Khan said: “The evidence is now overwhelming and unarguable: the bold action we have taken in London has reduced pollution, improved public health and saved lives.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has praised the expansion of the Ulez scheme for its health benefits
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PA
“From childhood asthma to dementia, we know that a wide range of illnesses are linked to air pollution.
“This latest data shows why expanding Ulez London-wide was even more important than we previously thought and is transforming lives right across our capital.”
He acknowledged that the decision to expand the Ulez was “not easy”, but has now been vindicated in his choice to expand the clean air scheme.
Despite “incredible” progress, Sir Khan emphasised that “there is still more to do”, adding that Londoners should not get complacent.
Ulez has helped create cleaner air in London, new data confirms
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PASir Khan also outlined that the expansion of the Ulez scheme to outer London was met with “significant opposition”.
However, the data shows that the boroughs with the highest number of deaths attributable to air pollution per 100,000 residents in 2024 included Bexley, Havering and Sutton.
The Mayor said this proved the importance of the Ulez, especially in outer London boroughs, to cut the number of people becoming ill because of pollution.
Jemima Hartshorn, founder and director of Mums for Lungs, thanked Sir Sadiq Khan for his leadership in improving air quality across the capital.
The Ulez scheme was expanded to all London boroughs on August 29, 2023 | PA
She said: “Over a hundred thousand children went to hospital with breathing issues in London in 2024.
“And other cities and regions are still more polluted than London now – it could not be clearer: Londoners need more action, and so does the rest of the country!”
This was echoed by Cecilia Vaca Jones, executive director of Breathe Cities, who congratulated the Mayor and Londoners for embracing the Ulez to clean the air.
“London shows what is possible and we are taking those lessons around the world so that more babies, more children, more families, more communities can breathe cleaner air,” she added.