Dear Editor,
We have yet more evidence from the Office of National Statistics, suggesting a link between air pollution and higher Covid-19 mortality rates.
Toxic air disproportionately affects the poorest in our capital and even before the pandemic, contributed to the premature deaths of almost 10,000 Londoners per year.
This is an awful symptom of social injustice, but with the right political will, we can do something about it.
City Hall figures show that in the wake of the ULEZ and other Mayoral schemes coming into force, London has seen a drop in toxic NO2 emissions which is five times greater than other parts of the country.
In this success, when it comes to the air that we breathe, we cannot afford to be complacent.
This is why the Government needs to amend its Environment Bill to give cities more funding in this area and allow London to access the Clean Air Fund, so even more can be done at a regional level.
Yours,
Jennette Arnold OBE AM
London Assembly Member for North East (Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest)