Sadiq Khan heckled and applauded as he defends controversial Ulez scheme London Mayor Sadiq Khan faced a mixed reaction from the audience as he defended his decision to expand the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez) to the North and South Circular roads.

The scheme, which charges drivers of older and more polluting vehicles £12.50 a day to enter the zone, aims to improve air quality and reduce emissions in the capital. However, some critics have argued that it unfairly penalizes low-income and vulnerable residents who cannot afford to upgrade their cars or use public transport.

Khan was speaking at a public event hosted by the Evening Standard on Wednesday, where he was questioned by editor Emily Sheffield and members of the public on various topics, including transport, crime, housing and Covid-19. When asked about the Ulez expansion, which came into effect on October 25, Khan said he had no choice but to take action to tackle the “climate emergency” and the “public health crisis” caused by poor air quality.

“Failure would be doing nothing,” he said. “Failure would be allowing thousands of Londoners to die prematurely because of the toxic air we breathe. Failure would be allowing our children to suffer from asthma, stunted lungs and other health conditions because of the air pollution.” He added that he was aware of the financial impact of the scheme on some drivers, but said he had introduced a number of exemptions and discounts to help them transition to cleaner vehicles.

He also said he had invested in improving public transport, cycling and walking infrastructure, and promoting car-sharing schemes. “I’m not anti-car, I’m pro-clean air,” he said. “I want Londoners to have a choice of how they get around the city, but I also want them to have a healthy and safe environment.” Khan’s remarks were met with both applause and heckling from the audience, some of whom shouted “rubbish” and “liar”.

One woman accused him of being “out of touch” with ordinary Londoners, while another said he was “doing a great job”. Khan responded by saying he respected everyone’s views, but urged them to look at the evidence and the benefits of the Ulez scheme. “I’m not here to make popularity contests, I’m here to do the right thing,” he said. “The Ulez is not a tax, it’s a charge that you can avoid by driving a cleaner vehicle or using other modes of transport. And it’s working. It’s already reduced harmful emissions by almost 50% in central London, and it will do the same in the expanded zone.

It will also save the NHS millions of pounds in treating preventable diseases. And it will help us achieve our goal of making London carbon-neutral by 2030.” He concluded by saying that he was proud of his record on tackling air pollution and climate change, and that he would continue to work with the government, businesses and communities to make London a greener and healthier city.