Plan to tackle London air pollution 'half-hearted', says mayor

Sadiq Khan today attacked the government's 'half-hearted' plan to tackle pollution after failing to win funding for a £500m diesel scrappage scheme.

Ministers outlined proposals to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2040 as part of a new clean air strategy.

London's Mayor already plans a series of restrictions and charging zones to drive high polluting diesel vehicles off the streets.

A £10 'Toxicity' charge will be levied on older diesels in central London from October followed by the launch of an Ultra Low Emission Zone in 2019.

But Mr Khan has failed to persuade the government to bankroll a scrappage scheme to help diesel owners switch to hybrid or electric vehicles.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove dismissed previous scrappage schemes as 'poor value for money'.