Transport secretary wants Chancellor to use tax to combat air pollution

Patrick McLoughlin has used a newspaper interview to call for the Chancellor to act on air pollution.

The transport secretary told the Evening Standard that the Labour government's reduction in fuel duty on diesel had been a mistake and needed correcting. "We have got to look at that. It is something the Chancellor will need to look at in due course."

Gordon Brown's move in 2001 led to a rise in the proportion of diesel cars in the U.K fleet. The Standard welcomes the minister's comments. "We must act to diminish the pollution caused by diesel," it says, while suggesting car manufacturers pay for replacing diesel engines.

In the same interview McLoughlin says there may be further delay on a decision on the Airports Commission recommendation that Heathrow Airport is expanded. Simon Jenkins, writing in the newspaper, says of the move: "Pollution levels in west London are not just killing people: worse, they are embarrassing ministers."