Just one in four people support the idea of a ultra low emission zone (ULEZ) scheme in their area, a new poll indicates.
A People Polling Survey commissioned exclusively by GB News asked if people would back the idea of the London scheme being expanded to where they live.
Ten percent said they “strongly supported” such an idea, while 15 percent said they “supported it” – adding up to a total of 25 percent.
In contrast, 42 percent said they “strongly oppose” the idea while an additional 12 percent “somewhat opposed” the idea – meaning 54 percent are against the idea of an expansion. Twenty per cent “didn’t know” or “preferred not to say”.
The poll also indicated skepticism towards the scheme in the capital. Currently, Transport for London charges £12.50 every day to people who drive small cars, motorcycles, vans and other vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards for driving within the ULEZ areas.
Thirty two percent of those polled said they supported the scheme in London, while 42 percent opposed it. Twenty five percent didn’t know or preferred not to say.
Those polled were also asked if:
*The government should prioritise helping the UK reach Net Zero carbon emissions, even if this increases the cost of living for ordinary people.’
*The government should prioritise keeping the cost of living as low as possible, even if this means it has to do less to help the UK reach Net Zero carbon emissions’.
Sixteen percent of people said they thought the Government should prioritise net zero while 54 percent said combatting the cost of living crisis should be the main priority.
Commenting, politics expert Professor Matthew Goodwin, said:
“What these results show is that the ULEZ scheme is nowhere near as popular among ordinary voters, as many people in the elite seem to think it is. In our latest polling, we find a large number of voters are not supportive of the Ulez scheme, and certainly do not want one in their immediate local area.
“Furthermore, we find that while voters are instinctively on board with the net zero agenda, and tackling climate change, when they are asked to choose between dealing with these issues and facing personal financial costs, they become much less supportive.”
The poll for GB News comes ahead of the rollout of the controversial expanded ULEZ scheme To mark this, the channel will be presenting a series of special programmes today (August 29) investigating what people think about the potential for it to soon be expanded widely outside of London. Throughout Tuesday’s show GB News will present special reports from London, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow, where similar schemes already operate, to gauge opinion and provide expert analysis.
Key findings:
In London, the Ultra-Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) is an area in which a fee of £12.50 is charged to the most polluting cars, vans and other vehicles driving into the centre of the city. Would you support or oppose a similar ULEZ‑like surcharge in your local area?
Strongly support 10%
Somewhat support 15%
Somewhat oppose 12%
Strongly oppose 42%
Don’t know/prefer not to say 20%
Support 25%, Oppose 54%
Transport for London currently charges £12.50 every day to people who drive small cars, motorcycles, vans and other vehicles that do not meet certain emissions standards for driving within the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone (ULEZ).
To what extent, if at all, do you support or oppose the existence of the Ultra-Low Emissions Zone in London?
Strongly support 12%
Somewhat support 20%
Somewhat oppose 12%
Strongly oppose 30%
Don’t know/prefer not to say 25%
Support = 32%, Oppose 42%
Which of the following statements best reflect your view?
A.’The government should prioritise helping the UK reach Net Zero carbon emissions, even if this increases the cost of living for ordinary people.’
B.’The government should prioritise keeping the cost of living as low as possible, even if this means it has to do less to help the UK reach Net Zero carbon emissions’.[1]
Statement A 16%
Statement B 54%
