The UK Labour Party is considering supporting clean air zones in cities, similar to London’s ULEZ, if it wins the election next year. Labour-controlled councils in Birmingham, Bristol and Bradford have introduced clean air zones, although smaller-scale than London’s, which can only be used by vehicles that meet local emissions requirements. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, plans to use the ULEZ as a universal clean air zone covering all 32 London boroughs from August, although five Conservative-led boroughs intend to challenge the move in the High Court in July.
The pressure on brands to provide customers with cheap, throwaway fashion is hurting the industry, said Topshop's former fashion director Gillian Ridley Whittle, who has launched her own ethical underwear brand Peachaus. "Fast fashion has become such a monster," she said. Ridley Whittle said her aim was to convince customers to buy fewer, higher-quality items than the single-use, landfill-bound clothing that currently dominates high street retailing. Her brand eschews Chinese-sourced production and actively promotes longer use of its underwear by offering laundry bags and discussing repair options with customers
