Sadiq Khan receives honorary fellowship for ULEZ and congestion charge work tackling air pollution

The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has received an honorary fellowship for his work in tackling poor air quality in London.

The UK Faculty of Public Health (FPH) is presenting the mayor with this award for his work on ULEZ and for expanding the area covered by the congestion charge in order to improve health inequality in London.

The prestigious award is the highest category of FPH membership and is awarded to those who have made exceptional contributions towards improving the health of the public and/or improving the practice of public health.

Mayor Khan, who has called air pollution “the biggest public health emergency of a generation”, has introduced a number of measures to help tackle this issue.

These include the introduction of the Hopper fare for unlimited bus and tram journeys for an hour and expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone to outer London.

Professor Kevin Fenton, President of the Faculty of Public Health, said: “Political leadership for public health is a critical component for improving the health of the population and tackling health inequalities.

“Mayor Khan has shown his willingness to take on major challenges for London to improve the health, wellbeing and economic productivity of all Londoners. The Faculty of Public Health is pleased to be able to recognise his leadership and impact.”

Mayor Khan said: “I am honoured to receive this recognition from the Faculty of Public Health on behalf of all those who have worked so hard in London to improve air quality, save lives and reduce health inequality.

“With around 4,000 people in the capital dying prematurely each year from toxic air pollution we simply don’t have time to waste. As mayor, I have made it my mission to create a better, greener, and cleaner London for all and will continue to do all I can to protect and improve the health of all Londoners.”

The ULEZ is due to expand on August 29, from which date it will extend from covering inner London to the whole of the capital. Once implemented, most of those driving non-compliant vehicles in the zone will be liable to pay a £12.50 daily charge.

The scheme’s expansion has been met with criticism from the Conservatives and several protests have been held opposing it.

A judicial review into the expansion is due to be heard at the High Court next month, which, if successful, would derail the scheme and suck millions of pounds from TfL’s budget for 2023/24.