Exclusive

Sadiq Khan and Shaun Bailey clash over how to make London greener

25 April 2021, 13:26 | Updated: 25 April 2021, 13:37

Sadiq Khan and Shaun Bailey clash over how to make London greener

By Kate Buck

London Mayoral candidates Sadiq Khan and Shaun Bailey have clashed over how to improve air quality in London.

Caller Alexi from Brentwood said that she was forced to leave East London after suffering from asthma, made worse by the poor air quality.

Each candidate has his own idea on what is best for the city - but it descended into a furious disagreement over the financial impact of their proposals.

Read more: London Mayoral Election - Who are the candidates?

Mr Khan said he wishes to extend the Ultra Low Emission Zone to the North and South Circular, and wants to encourage more walking and cycling.

Mr Bailey said he wanted to make the entire bus fleet in London green, which he said would be the equivalent of taking 1.1 million cars off the road.

Sadiq Khan clashed with Shaun Bailey on a live debate with Swarbrick on Sunday
Sadiq Khan clashed with Shaun Bailey on a live debate with Swarbrick on Sunday. Picture: LBC

But the two candidates clashed when Tom pressed Mr Bailey on where the money would come from to pay for the fleet.

"The money is already wrapped up in contract, it's the same £130 million that we would have to spend putting cameras in, cameras which are very shortly become out of date.

"If you want to clean up the air in London, it's common sense. If something is putting out dirty air you remove the source, you don't just charge Londoners more and more money to exist."

But Mr Khan disagreed with his opponent's figures on how the city can afford this, quizzing his counterpart on the cost of making the entire London bus network green.

Watch the full clash in the clip at the top of the page.

More Tom Swarbrick

See more More Tom Swarbrick

Exclusive
UK should prepare for 'something close to war', Nato's deputy tells LBC, amid warning members have 'neglected defence'

UK should prepare for 'something close to war', Nato's Deputy General tells LBC, as he warns Russia 'cannot be trusted'

Emma Webber (left) speaking to LBC

Mother of Nottingham attack victim Barnaby Webber blasts police ‘mistruths’ after force is put in special measures

Lord Harrington said there should be a cap on the number of asylum seekers the UK takes.

Former refugees minister Lord Harrington calls for a cap on the number of asylum seekers the UK takes

Mel Stride has backed the PM

Rishi Sunak has 'absolutely not' betrayed nation over Rwanda plan, insists minister after Braverman's attack on PM

Tom and caller

'Our family is there': Mother shares heartbreaking experience of being a British Jew during Israel-Hamas conflict

The ban will be brought into effect in months

'Children should be in the classroom to learn': Gillian Keegan orders 'blanket ban' of mobile phones in schools

Exclusive
Tributes have been paid to Elianne after she was stabbed to death in Croydon

Fellow pupil of schoolgirl stabbed to death in Croydon describes heartbreaking moment students were told of her killing

Scotland's first safe drug consumption space set to be openned

'Isn't this just decriminalising heroin?': Tom Swarbrick questions Labour MSP over first safe drug consumption room

The education secretary discusses educational reforms with Tom Swarbrick

Shadow education secretary says 'Building Schools for the Future Programme' would have prevented Raac crisis

Tom Swabrick

'Is it not completely mental?': Tom Swarbrick astonished as schools shut due to crumble-risk concrete before new term

Exam results

Equation sheets given to GCSE cohort in attempt lessen reduced grade inflation blow, schools minister says

Crime commentator on Adam Provan

Internal review of rapist ex-Met officer is the equivalent of 'marking your own homework', says crime commentator

Education Secretary discuss new Eton free schools on LBC

‘Bailed out by Eton’: Education Secretary discusses new free schools with Tom Swarbrick

Lucy Letby: We have to know what went so 'catastrophically wrong' says Tom Swarbrick

Lucy Letby: We have to know what went so 'catastrophically wrong' says Tom Swarbrick

Exclusive
Lord Edward Garnier has called for a public inquiry into Andrew Malkinson's case

Top lawyer blasts Andrew Malkinson rape case as the 'worst miscarriage of justice of the 21st century'

Suella Barge

Suella Braverman can't be blamed for housing migrants on barge with Legionella, ConservativeHome editor says