Andrea Leadsom confirms Government will try to kick new rules on air pollution back until late June due to the election as Sadiq Khan claims inaction will cause more early deaths
MINISTERS could face legal action after they confirmed today they want to push plans to tackle dirty air back until AFTER the election
Environment Secretary Andrea Leadsom told MPs in the Commons today that it was "not appropriate" to continue with the plans.
London Major Sadiq Khan slammed the Government today for the move - which was accused of "pure political expediency".
The Government has argued that they can't launch a consultation on any new policies during the election "purdah" period, which started on Sunday.
Lawyers wanted it to publish new plans to tackle air quality by 4pm today.
But the London Mayor and ClientEarth are fighting to get them to release plans now - not delaying it until June 30.
Ministers had been floating the idea of a diesel scrappage scheme - offering up to £2,000 for drivers to trade in their polluting cars.
It is expected to include a "toxin tax" on vehicles driving in major cities too.
Mrs Leadsom said this afternoon: "In accordance with the guidance covering both the local and general elections, the proprietary and ethics team in Cabinet Office have told us it would not be appropriate to launch the consultation and publish the air quality plan during this time."
She added: "What we are trying to do is a very short extension, which we do not believe will make a difference to the implementation of our plans but at the same time we are safeguarding our democracy."
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But Sadiq Khan said today that "dithering and delaying" was costing lives.
He told Sky News: "Every day delayed means a young child will grow up with underdeveloped lungs and another adult will be dying prematurely.
"It beggars belief - every year over 9000 Londoners die prematurely because of poor quality air.
"There are 40 million Brits living in areas where the air is dangerous."
He urged ministers to implement the scrappage scheme NOW.
"We need a new clean air act fit for the 21st Century.
"I am doing all that I can with the new t-charge this October and the world’s first ultra low emissions zone. I can’t do it on my own.
"The government’s got to step up to the place rather than dithering and delaying."
The news comes as car manufacturers are seeking to rush through dirty diesel makes before new pollution tests come in.
Emissions Analytics found that new models tested since early last year are even more polluting than previous ones.
An additional test on emissions is set to come in in September after the scandal on WV emissions revealed manufacturers were cheating the tests.
Tim Farron, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: “The government is using purdah as an administrative shield. But there are no excuses for not releasing the report.”
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