17/02/2017 London News

The ten pound charge targeting the dirtiest

vehicles in the capital - but will it do enough

I know that when I walk to school, I can just inhale the toxic fumes and

you feel it, you really do. This is one of the world's megacities and we

cannot have issues like this. The anxious wait for

Vauxhall workers as they're It's a fashion frenzy in the capital

- but what impact will Brexit have We'll be live at

London Fashion Week. This moonscape is what London looks

like 35 metres underground. Find out later why they are

digging a massive hole And how the kindness of strangers

led to wedding bells for a couple sleeping rough on the streets

of south-west London. Good evening and welcome to the

programme with me, Louisa Preston. With thousands of people dying

prematurely every year in London because of air pollution,

the Mayor is determined to tackle the problem and today he outlined

plans to introduce the so called Drivers of some of the oldest

and dirtiest vehicles will be charged an extra ten pounds on top

of the congestion charge to come It will affect about 10,000 vehicles

every weekday but many say Our Political Correspondent

Karl Mercer reports. My name is Sadiq Khan,

I'm the Mayor of London. Signed up at an early age

to the Mayor of London's But tackling London's air quality

will need more than posters. So today, we learned

of City Hall's new steps. First, of course, we had

the congestion charge - 13 years on, the toxicity charge

is coming, later this year drivers of the most polluting cars

will have to dig deeper. The new charge will come

in on October the 23rd. Older vehicles will be charged ?10

on top of the current congestion charge of ?11.50,

meaning that they will pay ?21.50 It is estimated 10,000 vehicles

per day would currently be Although City Hall says it

thinks that 4000 of those I've deliberately not

done this overnight. Notwithstanding my big

election victory last May, 65% of Londoners want me

to take bold action, The T charge will take place

from October the 23rd and from 2019. There will be an ultra low emission

zone. I know that when I walk to school,

I can just inhale the toxic fumes. We need to contain this, this is one

of the world's megacities. Support here today, and some key

questions for the Mayor. For some people, maybe that small

charge is something that they cannot Those who are just surviving,

just getting by, just about managing to have a car in the first place,

whatever the charge will be, ?10, it can be really

damaging to some people. Although the mayor is targeting cars

of around ten years old, even some new cars will be

just as polluting. Their remissions on the road

are very different to those It raises awareness

which is a good thing, It raises awareness which is a good

thing, the fact that we are putting information out into the public

domain so consumers can make good choices is a good thing and I think

pressure needs to be put technology in the vehicles perform

on the road as they do in the lab. City Hall says the so-called T

charge is just one part of efforts A campaign that the mayor has put

at the top of his agenda. Joining me now is Simon Allcock

from ClientEarth which campaign Thank you for joining us this

evening, does it go far enough? We think it is a good start and

essential if we are to protect the health of Londoners but we think it

can go further, it should include more diesel cars because some of

those which are not included are polluting more than some of the ones

that are. We think it is a good start but it could go further. Is

there a case for banning these cars altogether? I don't think

immediately a ban is the right thing to do but we need to phase out the

most dirty cars off the streets. If we do that, people need incentives

and support to switch to more clean vehicles and that's why we need the

government to step up. Some say it is targeting poorer people in

society because they cannot afford more modern cars, what will they do?

Penalised coming into the city? The government has a role in introducing

a scrappage scheme, in Los Angeles they do it where the poorest people

are given a grant to scrap a dirty car and buy a cleaner car. It has

worked well over there so it can work here if they do at there. We

know that some of the poorest people are affected most in our cities

because they live on the most busy roads. What needs to be done when it

comes to construction and vehicles? Some of those large vehicles? We

have the ultra low emission zone, does it go far enough? The ultra low

emission zone is crucial to solving London's air pollution crisis, we

think it should be brought in in 2019, one year earlier, and should

cover Greater London so there are no hotspots outside of that. The mayor

is curry trying to do that and consult on it, we will wait for the

details -- the mayor is currently trying to do that.

It is crucial in tackling this air pollution crisis in London. Thank

you. Well if you'd like to know

whether you'll be affected by the charges, you can

check your vehicle I like London Fashion Week, where

the models are getting ready for the catwalk. Join me later to find out

the end result! Thousands of Vauxhall workers

in Luton are waiting to hear about the future of their jobs

after crunch talks in Paris. The Business Secretary Greg Clark

has been in the French capital as Peugeot considers a takeover

of General Motors. It is a deal which could

create the second-largest But, how many jobs

would remain in the UK? They've been doing this

at the Vauxhall plant in Luton since 1905,

but there are very real fears this potential takeover

could lead to job losses, Guido is just one worker

recently laid off. We thought there was a contract

coming, and they just said that they had to get rid

of 48 people. US giant General Motors employs 4500

people at its two UK plants But, tens of thousands more work

in its retail and supply chain. On Tuesday, it emerged that GM

was in advanced talks with French manufacturer Peugeot Citroen,

which wants to buy its European arm. With 14 factories in France

and Germany, part of that equation too, there could be a 3-way tussle

for job security. The French and German

governments are meeting, and that would be to secure

the future for their plants, and we want to make certain

that the UK is not sitting The Business Secretary is determined

that will not happen. Greg Clark met with GM

officials earlier this week, and then went straight to Paris

to meet Peugeot executives. In October, Nissan raised doubts

over their future here due to Brexit but was appeased with assurances

from the government. There is no doubt that

the climate is tough. Vauxhall is a European company,

most of its production goes to the rest of the European Union,

most of its components The big uncertainty of freedom

of trade within Europe and the single market,

the customs union, you know, if you are a French manager,

choosing between a British and a German operation now,

frankly it is a bit of a no-brainer. So far, workers in

Luton are in the dark. We haven't heard the ins

and outs of it yet. They've just said that they will let

us know when they know. I think that most people

are fairly stoic about it, Until they talk to us,

we cannot do anything. With the French government heavily

invested in Peugeot and German jobs three times more expensive to get

rid of than here, there Domestic violence victims in 17

London boroughs will get extra help, thanks to nearly ?3 million

in new funding. The money will go towards extra beds

in refuges, giving survivors somewhere safe to live

while they receive training to help A resident of South-East London has

won his legal battle to save trees near his home from being felled

or cut-back for sewer works. Thames Tideway wanted to remove

a tree and trim others in Deptford, part of work for a 15-

mile-long "super sewer". John Hellings took them

to the High Court - and won. The company has now formally

withdrawn its plans. The extraordinary bravery

of a soldier from Hammersmith during the First World War

is being remembered today. 100 years ago - Lance

Sergeant Frederick Palmer captured an enemy trench -

and defended it for hours He was awarded the Victoria Cross -

and today he's being honoured who fought bravely years ago,

today it is for one Lance Sergeant Palmer, who, 100

years ago in the First World War, cut his way under point-blank

machine gun fire through barbed wire entanglements, and rushed

the enemy's trench It really was hard fighting,

I cannot imagine being hard enough to do that sort of thing,

never mind brave enough! Despite eight enemy attacks

and a bomb hitting the group of soldiers, the men managed

to defend the trench. Now, people from all

over the community have I was expecting perhaps half a dozen

good people from the council and the regiment to show up,

but this is overwhelming, really. Frederick William Palmer

was born here in Hammersmith He was only 25 years

old when he was awarded The highest and most prestigious

award for bravery and gallantry Today, a Victoria Cross

commemorative paving stone has been laid at Shepherd's Bush War

Memorial. We have a local hero,

who fought for our country It is being recognised

and I think it is wonderful. Some hope that the ceremony

would encourage others to follow in We take our history

very seriously but also through commemorating our past,

we like to inspire people Now, a lasting reminder

of the bravery of a local man. And, an inspiration to the community

for generations to come. The world's fashion elite has

descended on the capital for this The event costs millions to put on,

but organisers say it's worth so much more in promoting

the 30 billion pound industry that's proud to have some of its top

talent here in London. Asad Ahmad is soaking up

the atmosphere at one Louisa, I am at the Sadie Williams

show, very much in the thick of it. The models are here and people here

with their cameras out. The music is loud, lights are flashing. It is all

very exciting! But these are difficult times that London Fashion

Week, not because of the talent or the interest in London Fashion Week

but because so many designers are very concerned about the impact that

Brexit could have on this multi-billion pound industry. I've

been speaking to the Chief Executive of London Fashion Week to find out

what the plans are to make sure that the break-up is smooth.

It's an opportunity to invite ministers to Fashion Week,

to share with them this incredible industry but also bring to light

Millions and billions of pounds are being generated

through London Fashion Week, which we have here.

We are here at Central Saint Martins, and we have the most

One of the things that the industry is concerned about is that students

still have the opportunity to come here and study, that they are able

to stay and build business in the UK and can contribute

If you look at London Fashion Week, a lot of businesses,

I know that the government has asked you to help them

shape their policies and plans for Brexit and leaving the EU.

For us, it's really around the visas.

Making sure that the talent has the opportunity to be here

and that they have the accessibility and can move quickly and freely.

And of course, that we have free movement of goods where possible.

That we have free trade agreements, if possible.

These are things that are really something that can improve

the competitiveness of British businesses, and surely that is

Is there a chance that London could lose its crown

for being the world centre for creative talent

I'm very much hoping that it will be able to maintain that reputation.

I think that London is this dynamic city and should continue to attract

And young people around you are working hard now,

Should they be optimistic for the future or is it time

for them to maybe look abroad to do their studies and their work?

They should absolutely not look abroad to do their studies!

They should stay here in the UK and know that not only the fashion

industry but the creative industries are incredibly welcoming to them

and will do everything that they can to support them to stay.

Apologies for technical problems, we were going to go back but

unfortunately we cannot. Moving on...

from the waist down - and with eighteen broken ribs -

but he says he's determined to get back on a horse.

The 30-year-old came off in a four-horse pile up

Freddie had been an emerging force in the saddle, his best season yet

but at 30 years old, he was tipped for the top before tragedy struck,

falling in a four horse pile-up in Kempton in October. I sustained 18

broken ribs... And worse still, a T7 paralysis, meaning he cannot move

the lower half of his body. A couple of the lads watched the race again

and said that I was very lucky to actually be here. After weeks in

intensive care, his rehabilitation continues here. Circulation...

Stretch from this one... Experts at the London spinal-cord unit keep him

busy. Specialist equipment keeps his muscles moving. I began to ride

racehorses when I was 11 or 12 years old. It is like a drug. Once you

start, you cannot stop! Do you think that there might be a chance that

you can ride again? For sure, most definitely. I have a lesson next

Wednesday... That soon? You really are getting straight back on the

horse! Absolutely, obviously it will not be a racehorse, something

slower! But... Like I say, life goes on. You need to make the most of it.

And roll on next Wednesday! This moonscape is what London looks

like 35 metres underground. Find out later why they are digging a massive

hole in Leicester Square! And wedding bells for a homeless

couple helped down the aisle Now we've seen many people in London

who want more space digging down rather than going up,

but nothing on this scale. An enormous hole has appeared

in Leicester Square as building gets It will have swimming pools,

restaurants and a whole cinema Wendy Hurrell has been

finding out more. Leicester Square, right

in the middle of the West End. # My love has come along

# They are looking down

into a hole 35 metres deep. They've already removed 65,000

cubic metres of heavy and sticky London clay,

because when there is no room to build out and you cannot go too

far up, you have to dig down. With a digger, built

especially for this site, It's unique, because of the sheer

size, we needed a machine with a telescopic ram,

a road machine will not do the job. Justin cannot see much from his cab,

he relies on cameras, which I love to hog,

to guide the bucket as it All of this is being sent out

of London to Buckinghamshire, I had never heard of anyone

going that far down. I think some of the Crossrail

tunnels might be 25 to 28 metres but at this size,

it is unheard of. The sad thing is we will fill

the back in with concrete! That will be the foundations

for a hotel, conference room, cinema and leisure conference centre

to be built by a Edwardian Hotels, a company owned by the same London

family for 40 years. This is in excess of ?300 million

of total investment. This is not sovereign fund money,

not money coming from the Far East but money made in London,

and invested back into I think that London is still

vibrant and an exciting This will be one of the largest

commercial basements in the world. Until 2019, when it is finished,

it is a window into how challenging and impressive building

in London can be. Three years ago he was part

of a Hull team that surprised everyone by making it all the way

to the FA Cup final. Now Sone Aluko hopes to help Fulham

pull off another FA Cup shock against Premier League high-flyers

Tottenham. BBC London ahead of Sunday's fifth

round match. I'm Sone Aluko, an attacker for Fulham. They had a lots

of policy, they got the result, but it was disappointing. There was an

FA Cup final and my memories are disappointing, we did not win the

game that we should have done. It was a nice feeling. My first FA Cup

goal, I think! In towards the Hull penalty area... A goal! Well taken.

Sone Aluko, against his former club! Make no doubts about it... It was

clinical that day, we dominated the game and a lot of the possession.

Scoring goals, that's how we want to play it. We executed our game plan

really well. We always supported each other. When she wins, we all

do. When we win, the whole family wins. It's not a rivalry, we have FA

Cup winners in our house, I played in Europe and stuff, it does not get

discussed. There are shirts in the house and a couple of trophies, it

is a nice feeling for everyone. Luckily, we got a home draw which

was important for us to play well at home. To execute our game plan on

Sunday. And see that they destroy us. At this point, it is taking one

game at a time because the league is so tight. I think all of the teams

in the play-off wanted, that chasing pack is waiting for someone to slip

up and the FA Cup is the be all of the competition. Good luck to them.

A homeless couple who couldn't afford to get married were given

a wedding with all the trimmings this afternoon after their community

Chris and Kirsty have been sleeping rough in Kingston-Upon-Thames

since May last year but were keen to start a new life together.

Gareth Furby was lucky enough to get an invite to the big day.

For months, they had been living here, in bushes by the River Thames

in Kingston. Chris and Kirsty, homeless after being thrown out of

their flat and these have been tough times. It has been cold. We've got

about five blankets... Even though they have nothing, they've got each

other. Your cheekiness... Your smile. Chris proposed, and offered a

ring... ?20, ?30 come I'm glad that she said yes! Living like this, the

expense of a wedding was not an option. It was heartbreaking.

Heartbreaking. Their life changed when they were spotted by Paul Ryan,

a church outreach worker. I saw them on the pavement and could see that

they were in love with each other. We came to the conclusion that they

should dream big and have the wedding of their choice. So, last

night, Kirsty was preparing for her special day. Viewing a dress bought

for her in her special colour. It's my favourite, because I'm an Arsenal

fan! These are my wedding shoes for tomorrow. It is a dream come true.

I've got butterflies. To be honest! I have butterflies! This morning,

Chris was transforming into the groom in a hired suit, again paid

for with donations. It feels like I feel important! Like I'm going to an

office or something! It was for something much more important than

that... I'd take you to be my husband... I'd take you to be my

husband... Before God who brought us together. I now pronounce you,

husband and wife. The total cost was ?2000, and all that was a gift. It's

been a long time coming! It shows people do care. We want to

demonstrate that God loves them, this is the first step for them.

Anyone who has worked with people in this situation before will tell you

there is no instant fix. And there's no return to that tent tonight! A

broom in a hotel has also been paid for, and a flat bound with the rent

covered until benefits kick in -- room. Kirsty is pregnant, a baby is

due. And hopefully, this is the beginning of a better life.

Let's get a check on the weekend weather with Stav Danaos.

very mild, isn't it? Yes, it is set to get very mild to the start of

next week... It's been a lovely day across the capital, and across the

south-east really. Bits of cloud about, and some sunny spells, this

picture of central London shows how it was through the day. Overnight it

stays dry for most of us. Some cloud here and there. Some missed and

knock-about, temperatures won't go lower than six or 7 degrees. These

temperatures will be seeing daytime in mid-February. At the weekend,

both days, it will stay mild and largely drive. But not wall-to-wall

sunshine. -- largely drive. Saturday has winds coming up from the south,

dry air, and it's an improvement in the afternoon with sunny spells

developing. Temperatures in 11-12 . Getting ready for spring. Westerly

winds continue into Sunday, some cloud coming in, that mild air will

continue to feed across the region, the odd spot of cloud on Sunday,

maybe the odd spot of rain in the air, but there will be some sunshine

breaking through the it will be quite a sunny day on Sunday

afternoon, and on Saturday afternoon, temperatures of up to 13

degrees. A fair breeze from the West. Watch these deep orange colour

is coming across the UK on Monday, it is tropical air coming from the

Azores, brought by an area of high pressure. A lot of cloud, it will be

moist air, the look at these temperatures, there will be a feral

breeze, despite the warmth. It will not be wall-to-wall sunshine. --

there will be quite the breeze. Through the week, things turn

cooler, close to where we see temperatures that this time of year.

The night will be cold but still above the seasonal

average, mild weather is set to continue.

Lovely stuff, thanks for that! Tony Blair has said it's his

"mission" to persuade people The former prime minister claimed

the government was now set on leaving the EU "at any cost" -

A speech ridiculed The US food giant Kraft Heinz has

offered more than 100 billion pounds for Unilever -

Britain's third largest company. The offer was rejected but if a deal

does go ahead it'll be one of the largest mergers

in corporate history. The Mayor has outlined plans

to introduce the so called ?T Drivers of some of the oldest

and dirtiest vehicles will be charged ten pounds on top

of the congestion charge. And thousands of Vauxhall workers

in Luton are waiting to hear about the future of their jobs

after crunch talks in Paris - as Peugeot considers

a takeover of General Motors. I'll be back later during the ten

o'clock news, but for now from everyone on the team

have a lovely evening.