According to what can be heard and seen in the news diesels emit unacceptable pollutants that are killing thousands in the UK each year. If this is true, and I believe it has not been contradicted, why does the government continue to have favourable VED rates for diesels and why does HJ (and other reviewers)continue to recommend diesels over petrol?

Furthermore, manufacturers seem unbothered and continue to churn out more diesels. Are diesel owners taking the risk of getting their fingers badly burned should the government eventually deem the engines 'non grata'?