A plan to clean up Britain’s toxic air

GAZING out over London’s chimneys, Liverpool’s docks or Edinburgh’s spires can cloud a tourist’s judgment. Air pollution “plagues” Britain, says one UN official. The capital is particularly nasty, and compares poorly with other European cities (see chart). On some days last month particulate levels in London were higher even than in Beijing. On February 17th the mayor, Sadiq Khan, will launch a £10 ($12) “toxic charge” on the most polluting vehicles—broadly speaking those registered before 2005—to come into force in October.

Across the country, up to 40,000 excess deaths each year are associated with toxic air. Pollution taxes those with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and affects neurodevelopment and fetal growth. Ill-health caused by foul air costs Britain more than £15bn a year, the government estimates. But it seems unwilling to do much about it. Twice in the past two years its plans to weaken pollution...