Speaking after the problems reported with the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) vehicle checker, Shabana Mahmood said:

“As the start date for Birmingham’s ‘Clean Air Zone’ draws ever nearer, the problems with the vehicle checker system that will support the zone and nowhere nearer to being reolved.

“Despite repeated requests, no one from the government has engaged with me on this issue, with my most recent request for an urgent meeting with DEFRA Ministers is still outstanding after almost a month.

“The lack of action from the Government is not only disrespectful to residents from Birmingham Ladywood and across the city, but runs the risk of causing real financial hardship to people when the systems fail to work.

“I have said before that if the vehicle checker cannot be properly launched, then neither can the CAZ. All the signs are that the government is unwilling, or unable, to deliver a vehicle checker that works. For that reason, we need to put the CAZ on hold with immediate effect.”