AN extra daily £10 diesel tax will be slapped on diesel powered vehicles entering London in a bid to lower pollution levels.

The charge will be on top of the normal congestion zone charge for central London under proposals being considered by mayor of London Boris Johnson.

And several other major UK cities blighted by poor air quality, worsened by diesel engine emissions, are considering following London’s lead on low emission zones backed by charges and penalties.

Johnson is also pressing the government to charge all diesel drivers more statutory vehicle tax.

The move to introduce a £10 diesel tax could represent a huge extra financial burden on small businesses and SMEs having to trade in London and other large UK cities.

Meanwhile, Labour wants to create a national network of low emission zones, preventing older diesel vehicles entering many cities.

Pressure is growing on city councils to improve air quality to avoid fines from the European Commission after it launched legal proceedings against the UK in February for breaching pollution limits.

At least 20 cities including Sheffield, Leicester, Bradford, Birmingham and Bristol are considering introducing low emission zones. Oxford created a low emission zone for buses this year which may be extended to apply to all vehicles.

In Britain, about 29,000 premature deaths a year are thought to be caused by air pollution.

Although diesel cars are beneficial in company car tax terms and running costs because of their low CO2 emissions and good economy, diesels are being targeted because they produce toxins including nitrogen dioxide, which irritates the lung lining and can cause respiratory disease.