UK government rejects calls for higher diesel tax to cut pollution

[WorldNews]

By Nina Chestney LONDON (Reuters) - The British government rejected calls on Sunday to raise taxes on diesel vehicles to reduce air pollution but said it will consider a national network of low-emission zones. Britain has consistently failed to meet European Union limits on nitrogen dioxide, which is produced by diesel engines and is harmful to respiratory systems, as well as another pollutant, known as diesel particular matter. In December, the parliamentary Environmental Audit Committee published a report on air quality in which it called for a less favorable tax regime for diesel vehicles to discourage the emission of pollutants. It also urged the government to introduce without delay a national framework for low emission zones and a certification scheme for vehicles that meet particular air quality standards.

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