Sadiq Khan declares emergency as London is hit by a light frost… while other parts of Britain face 4inches of snow

LONDON Mayor Sadiq Khan put the capital into emergency measures yesterday — after a touch of frost.

While commuters elsewhere dug their cars from snow, Mr Khan dramatically triggered a severe weather response for the first time this winter.

The Labour mayor — hated by drivers for his moneyspinning Ultra Low Emission Zone — announced: “With temperatures below zero across the capital, I’ve activated my Severe Weather Emergency Protocol.”

He said this would aid the most vulnerable and added: “Londoners once again stand ready to help.”

As he spoke, an aerial snap showed snow-covered rooftops in Hathersage, Derbys.

 The East coast — from Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk into Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the North East — was given Met Office warnings.

 Others covered Dorset, Cornwall and Devon — where 4in fell across Dartmoor. Dozens of schools were closed and in areas including Co Durham, police said conditions had led to a series of crashes.

Forecasters warned temperatures would remain bitterly cold throughout the weekend and into next week.

Met Office chief meteorologist Frank Saunders said: “Snow showers are expected to continue, with the potential for further accumulations over higher ground.

“Where the showers fall as rain there is a risk of icy patches forming overnight, with temperatures widely dipping below freezing.”

Forecaster Oli Claydon said overnight temperatures could drop to -8C in rural areas of the South and -7C in parts of Wales.

He added: “For those inland it will remain dry and cold but showers will continue along the East, heading North into the weekend.”

The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow and amber cold-health alerts for the health sector covering all regions of England until December 5.

Dale Hipkiss, from the National Highways, told drivers: “Freezing conditions bring so many hazards.

“Please take every possible step to understand your journey in advance and allow extra time.

“Keeping a kit of essential items like a torch and warm clothes in your vehicle can be vital.”

Meanwhile Brits will be offered cash to reduce their energy use by the National Grid for the second time in a week.

The increased demand for heating has meant power supplies are tighter than normal.

Households with smart meters who have signed up to the scheme will get around £3 per unit of ­electricity saved between 4.30pm and 6pm today, equivalent to the energy used by a dishwasher.

The Grid said: “These are precautionary measures to maintain the buffer of spare capacity we need.”