Local authority action to improve air quality in England has prevented an estimated 13,722 deaths and delivered around £15 billion in health and economic benefits since 2019, according to new research from UK100.
Launched at the organisation’s tenth anniversary conference in London, the study is the first to quantify the health and economic benefits directly attributable to local and regional government action on air pollution.
Using the Government’s Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) methodology, the report calculated the number of deaths avoided through cleaner air between 2019 and 2025.
The findings suggest local action has been responsible for around 35% of England’s overall air quality improvements during that period.
Christopher Hammond, chief executive of UK100, said: “For years, the story of air pollution has understandably been told through the harm it does. What this research shows, for the first time, is the other side of the ledger.”
He added that the achievements of local leaders represented “a record to be proud of”, while warning that stronger cooperation between national and local government would be needed to maintain progress.
The report also argues that further gains are possible if strategic authorities are given the resources and support to fully use their existing powers over transport, planning, housing, public health and bus services.
According to the analysis, this could have saved an additional 3,900 lives and generated a further £2.4 billion in benefits over the same period.
UK100 describes this shortfall as the result of governance and funding gaps that continue to limit local action.
Polly Billington MP, who founded UK100 a decade ago, said: “local leaders, whatever their party, could achieve more on clean air and climate by working together than apart.”
Reflecting on the findings, she added that cross-party collaboration had delivered “almost 14,000 lives saved through practical action”.
London provides the clearest example of progress.
Analysis published last month found that deaths linked to air pollution in the capital fell by around 40% between 2019 and 2024, while roadside nitrogen dioxide levels dropped by 41% and fine particulate pollution fell by 28%.
Transport for London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone has helped keep roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations around 27% lower than they would otherwise have been.
The report calls on the Government to introduce a new Clean Air Act aligned with World Health Organization targets, establish a long-term clean air funding settlement and develop a national indoor air quality strategy.
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