London trading standards teams at Heathrow Airport have stopped 6.5 million sub-standard face masks and 8,000 counterfeit hand sanitisers coming through the airport since the pandemic started, according to data made available by London Trading Standards this week.

Councillor Ray Puddifoot, Leader of Hillingdon Council and London Councils’ Executive Member for Health & Care, said: “Boroughs’ trading standards teams are on the frontline of London’s clampdown on sub-standard products that are supposed to help protect people from coronavirus.

“As these results show, dishonest businesses are seeking to exploit Covid-19 pressures by bringing in significant quantities of unsafe equipment – but we’re not standing for it.

“The checks carried out by trading standards officers at Heathrow and by local teams across the capital are crucial for identifying fake and sub-standard products, upholding the law, and keeping people safe.”

Centre for London are holding a webinar tomorrow (Thursday 4 June) at 4pm to discuss challenges local transport face in a world after the Covid-19 pandemic.

With many Londoners choosing greener travel choices over the past three months and boroughs implementing emergency transport measures to support them, the webinar will explore how this could be beneficial to London’s environmental future.

The webinar will include findings of a new poll exploring changing attitudes to travel during the pandemic. Funded and sponsored by the London Environment Director’s Network (LEDNet) and supported by the London Technical Advisors Group (LoTAG), the poll was commissioned by Centre for London to explore the possible impact on the capital's transport network.

LEDNet vice chair Dipti Patel will be on the discussion panel and will be joined by other experts and leaders from the London transport sector.  

The webinar is free but you will need to register in advance to receive joining details.

Parking and traffic management provides important benefits for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and communities throughout London. These include maintaining road safety and access to jobs, goods and services. 

London boroughs have responded to huge changes in demands and priorities throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. This response has been invaluable in many ways, especially the flexibility provided to NHS staff, emergency services and care workers.

As restrictions are lifted there will be more demand for parking, particularly for those avoiding public transport. While this is necessary there must also be priority for individuals supporting the fight against Covid-19 and those who need parking most. The reintroduction of charges and enforcement may be necessary to support these individuals.

Road space must also be maintained for additional walking and cycling along with freight for essential deliveries and services.

Individual boroughs have different needs, so local action will be dependent on local circumstances. It is entirely for each council to decide what is best for their communities.

Government parking concessions for the NHS, health and social care workers and NHS Covid-19 volunteers still apply as these groups remain a priority for the limited parking available.