Sadiq Khan's blasted for misleading Britons on Ulez
Sadiq Khan has been criticised by a watchdog for misleading Britons over the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ)
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Sadiq Khan has been criticised by a watchdog for misleading Britons over the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ).
The UK Statistics Authority (UKSA) says his claim that 90 per cent of cars in outer London meet Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) standards was not supported by publicly available data at the time.
In March the London mayor said nine in 10 households complied, but his office has now admitted that Khan misspoke.
From 29 August, the most polluting vehicles within Greater London must pay a £12.50 daily charge or a £180 fine.
From 29 August, the most polluting vehicles within Greater London must pay a £12.50 daily charge or a £180 fine
PA
Its expansion is subject to a judicial review next month.
Transport for London (TfL) data shows the daily average total number of cars which comply with Ulez detected in outer London in November 2022 stands at 90 per cent.
However new data suggests one in six cars registered in outer London did not meet ULEZ standards last year, based on figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The official statistics watchdog called on the mayor to provide more details to back up the claim and said it was part of a pattern where TfL made public claims without publishing supporting evidence, according to the BBC.
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Khan's claim was looked into after a complaint was filed by Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham Munira Wilson in April.
She said his claim about how few households would be hit by ULEZ was "misleading."
In a letter to Wilson, UKSA chairman Sir Robert Chote said: "We are satisfied that data collected by TfL at the time supports the mayor's claim that nine in 10 cars seen driving in outer London now meet ULEZ standards.
"However, data on households in outer London who have a car that meet ULEZ emissions standards are not available.
"The statement made by the mayor relating to households in outer London is therefore not supported by publicly available data.
People have protested against the Ulez expansion which has left many unhappy
PA
"The data underlying the mayor's claim on cars driving in outer London were not available to the general public at the time, either from the mayor's office or from TfL.
"Users requesting clarification were provided with additional information, but that too was not made available on an equal basis to the general public."
A spokesperson for Sadiq Khan said: "City Hall welcomes confirmation that the OSR is content with the accuracy of the statement that nine out of 10 cars seen driving on an average day in outer London are ULEZ compliant.
"We note that further background explaining the data should have been provided at the time."
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