Cometh the day, cometh the Ulez as London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s flagship scheme to fight pollution in the capital goes live.

It means drivers crossing the boundary into outer London will have to pay a £12.50 fee if their cars don’t meet exhaust emissions requirements.

There have been protests against the expanded Ultra low emissions zone, now boundaried by the North Circular and South Circular, while vandals also targeted enforcement cameras.

Supporters say it’s crucial for improving Londoners’ respiratory health but critics call it an anti-car tax, saying the scheme will hit the poorest, hard-working Londoners who rely on a daily runabout vehicle. 

The Leader podcast’s joined by the Standard's local democracy reporter covering City Hall, Noah Vickers, along with Karina Fernandez, a mother of two young sons and a campaigner for clean air group Mums for Lungs, plus Brian Mooney, spokesman for the Alliance of British Drivers in London.

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