Ulez: Sadiq Khan’s claim of 4,000 deaths a year due to pollution deemed ‘misleading’

His campaign group, Climate Debate, and fellow anti-ULEZ activists Together Association are calling for the Mayor of London and TFL’s low emission zone rollout to be scrapped.

Ben told GB News: “Sadiq Khan has ignored scientists’ warnings and scientific debate about the problem of expressing mortality risk as ‘deaths’ to produce an extremely alarming statistic.

“But following the science reveals that there is no basis for his claim that 4,000 Londoners lose their life to air pollution each year.“

In his determination to advance his radical policy agenda, Khan’s bad science and statistics-abuse has caused distress and fear in countless people who rightly want the best for their families and communities.

“The science clearly states that there is insufficient evidence to establish a causal link between exposure to air pollution and mortality."

In August the Ultra Low Emission Zone is expected to be expanded across all London boroughs.It means all motorists whose vehicles do not meet TFL’s emission standards will need to pay a daily charge of £12.50.

In November last year, Mr Khan said: “Around 4,000 Londoners die prematurely each year because of long-term exposure to air pollution, with the greatest number of deaths in outer London boroughs.”

This was based on an investigation by the Environmental Research Group (ERG) at Imperial College London.Ben’s Climate Debate says it examined the scientific evidence offered by the Mayor and London local authorities as well as evidence provided by the UK Chief Medical Officer, Sir Christopher Whitty.

It also examined official data relating to exposure to air pollution, mortality, and socio-economic indicators to compare the risks of air pollution itself against the foreseeable risks of air pollution policy.

The campaigners say London air is less polluted now than it has been in hundreds of years due to technological innovation not restrictions.

And the report claims neither the UK Health Security Agency or Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants found evidence of a link between the air pollution scientific literature and the 4,000 deaths claim.

It adds that both authorities advised against framing the mortality rate with the findings from the ERG.Alan D Miller, Co-Founder of Together Association, said: “The entire foundation for ULEZ expansion has disintegrated.“

The report by Ben Pile demonstrating that neither the UKHSA or COMEAP find evidence of a causative link in the scientific literature and that they explicitly advise against framing the potential mortality risk associated with air pollution exposure in terms of deaths sends a coach and horses through Sadiq Khan’s irresponsible and deliberately dishonest claims of 4000 deaths per year.

“Khan knows this yet continues to promote this figure in a desperate bid to scare enough Londoners to drive through ULEZ expansion. It cheapens science, health policy and trust in elected representatives.”

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The air quality data used by the Mayor comes from globally renowned experts at Imperial College London and is completely robust.

"Imperial College London carried out the most accurate scientific investigation into the awful human cost of air pollution in London, using methods accepted by Government and recommended by the Government’s own expert advisors.

"Many different scientific studies from renowned universities around the world have shown that air pollution increases the risk of getting lung cancer, heart disease, premature births, new cases of asthma, stunted lungs in children and an increased chance of early death.

“The ULEZ is proven to work and expanding it London-wide will lead to five million more Londoners being able to breathe cleaner air. Rather than engaging in legitimate discussion and debate about this air quality policy, it’s disappointing to see some opponents trying to mislead the public by seeking to call into question the scientific evidence.”