Ultra Low Emission Zones not the problem

YOUR columnist Philip Bowern says that environmental measures like Ultra Low Emission Zones will “hit the poorest the hardest” and is particularly worried about the cost of ULEZ on households with two or more cars.

Is that right? One fifth of households don’t have a car at all – and the proportion is much higher in our cities where ULEZ will apply. This will be by choice for some, but not for many. The poorest in society also have the worst health outcomes and air pollution is the biggest environmental contributor to that, with a quarter of children attending schools where pollution levels are above World Health Organization recommendations.

As the income from ULEZ will be spent on improving public transport, there is a good argument that it will increase the options of the poorest in society who can’t afford a car or are limited by poor health.

And because our carbon emissions affect the whole globe, we must not forget that the most disadvantaged people often live in places already being hit by global warming. There are three billion people forced to survive on less energy than an American fridge. For these people, not having a car is seen as a first world problem.

My conclusion is that ULEZ is not the problem; it is inequality, pollution and, in the UK, inadequate public transport. We should choose to solve these, because we can.

Sarah Finch Exeter, Devon

practice for ministers and civil servants allows for this to happen.

If Dominic Raab does not have those skills but has to resort to intimidatory behaviour, then he is not a fit and proper person to be a Cabinet minister.

I would add that senior civil servants respect ministers who are on top of their briefs and are able to discuss the implementation of policies in a civilised manner.

Raab seemed incapable of being able to do the latter, even though he is considered to be on top of his brief. Rishi Sunak appears to recognise that Raab did have some of the qualities required for a minister, but in my view did the right thing in letting him fall on his sword rather than sacking him. After all, Rishi Sunak appointed Raab in the first place.

Jeremy Comerford Chippenham, Wiltshire

3G mobile signals to function, and mobile operators plan to pull the plug on them. When these signals are turned off, the meters will be no better than the traditional devices they replaced, as existing Smart Meters cannot handle 4G or 5G communication technology.

Dave Haskell

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