The Green Party has responded to news that almost 90% of British cities surveyed exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) limits for air pollution.
Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party, called for “urgent action” after 44 out of 51 cities were found to fail the WHO's test for fine sooty particles smaller than 2.5 microns across. These particles have been linked to heart disease and premature death.
Earlier this month the Green Party launched it ‘Breathing Cities’ campaign which aims for five zero-emission city centres in Britain within the next five years, in London, Leeds, Oxford, Sheffield and Bristol.
Bartley said:
"The Government is spectacularly failing to get a grip on air pollution. It is not surprising that 44 of 51 UK cities have air so dirty it breaks health limits. Only bold policies will tackle this public health emergency and yet the Government has sunk thousands of pounds of taxpayer’s money trying to defend its illegally poor plans in the courts. We need urgent action to save lives across the UK, including a rapid transition to zero emission city centres and a new Clean Air Act fit for the 21st century."