Defra ordered to publish air pollution plan by High Court before General Election

The air pollution plan is set to unveil tough new regulations to tackle air pollution problems across the UK.

Policy Connect CEO Jonathan Shaw said: “Policy Connect welcomes the Government’s imminent release of the much anticipated air quality plan. We look forward to working with our partners and members, to assess its potential to improve public health and the urban environment by reducing air pollution. “

Mr Justice Garnham ruled that the secretary of state, Andrea Leadsom, was in breach of a court order to take action in the shortest possible time and that any further delays would constitute a further breach. He said it was essential to publish draft plans to cut air pollution immediately to safeguard public health. (Please see the media reports on this linked below).

The plan is expected to be released by 9th May.

The Sustainability and Health teams have been working on topics closely linked to air pollution, including most recently 'City Resilience and Climate Change'The Brexit Series: Energy and Climate Change Policy post-Brexit, 'Is it time to kick fossil fuels out of politics?', 'Heat, Energy Efficiency & the Fifth Carbon Budget', 'The Future of Electric Vehicles in the UK', and the publication A Healthier Life for All: a Case for Cross-Government Action (p22).