World’s first ULEZ to save NHS billions by 2050

A new report shows the Ultra Low Emission Zone and the Mayor of London’s other air quality policies will save the NHS around £5 billion over next 30 years.

The world’s first ULEZ was introduced last year in central London and is the centrepiece of Sadiq Khan’s bold action to tackle London’s toxic air health crisis. The zone has already led to immediate health benefits with fewer polluting cars being driven and a roadside nitrogen dioxide (NO2) reducing by 36 per cent in the zone. As well as saving the NHS around £5 billion, the report claims that more than one million hospital admissions will be prevented over the next 30 years.

The latest report reveals that, by 2050, the impact of the Mayor’s air quality policies, including the ULEZ, Low Emission Bus Zones and no longer licensing new diesel taxis, are predicted to result in: almost 300,000 Londoners saved from diseases attributable to air pollution, such as coronary heart disease, lung cancer and dementia; a cost saving to London’s NHS and social care system of around £5 billion; and one million fewer new air pollution related hospital admissions in London.

Sadiq Khan said: “Air pollution is a national health crisis that is contributing to thousands of premature deaths in London alone. Toxic air causes long-lasting harm and could devastate lives for generations. This new data shows that the action we’re taking is already making a difference and saving lives. The ULEZ in particular will have a transformative impact in the coming years, with one million fewer air pollution related hospital admissions and billions of pounds saved to the NHS.

“I’ve moved fast in London to implement the most ambitious plans to tackle air pollution of any major city in the world - showing what we can achieve if we are brave enough to take bold action. The Government must take urgent steps to help clean up filthy air across the country, including with a new Environment Bill to give cities the powers they need and making World Health Organization air quality guidelines legally binding targets to be met by 2030.”