New UK100 research has revealed that local authority-led clean air action has saved almost 14,000 lives.
The figure is the equivalent to a town roughly the size of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and saved around £15 billion in damage to health and the wider economy, the report revealed.
It covers the period 2019 and 2025, and the financial figure uses the UK Government’s preferred approach for valuing the full range of health and productivity benefits – including money not spent on hospital admissions, GP appointments and lost working days, and value returned to the wider economy.
The research finds that local action currently accounts for around 35 per cent of England’s air quality improvement, with the remainder driven by national action.
If strategic and regional authorities were resourced to make fuller use of the powers they hold on transport, planning, buses, housing and public health, the share could rise to 45%, it claimed.
Over the same 2019 to 2025 period, stronger local leadership could have saved an estimated 3,900 additional lives and delivered £2.4 billion in further benefit.
The report describes this gap as “the real-world cost of the governance and funding gaps”. The report sets out a practical framework for closing it as devolution reshapes local government over the next decade.
The report sets out three calls to action for new and existing strategic authorities:
- Audit your current use of existing powers.
- Prepare now for the governance changes coming down the pipeline.
- Treat cross-governance coordination as essential to delivery, not an optional extra.
It also sets out three asks of national government to build on a decade of local progress:
- A new Clean Air Act with World Health Organization-aligned statutory targets
- A long-term, consolidated clean air funding settlement
- A national indoor air quality strategy
The Breathing Life research was produced by UK100’s Clean Air Network and researched and co-written by Sheryl French of Cambridge Climate.
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: how local leaders, working together, have helped prevent almost 14,000 unnecessary and untimely deaths and saved around £15 billion by getting on and creating better places to live in.
“These interventions haven’t always been welcomed initially, but with time have become accepted and loved by communities. The difference made by those leaders, both past and present, is a record to be proud of. But with the rollout of devolution and local government reorganisation, the local-national coordination will be critical to keeping up the momentum and improving the lives of thousands more in towns and cities across England.”
Polly Billington MP, founder of UK100, said:
“When I founded UK100 a decade ago, the idea was simple: local leaders, whatever their party,could achieve more on clean air and climate by working together than apart.Ten years on, that network has grown to more than 120 local and strategic authorities,covering over 60 per cent of the country.This latest research shows what that cross-party ambition has delivered — almost 14,000 lives saved through practical action on air pollution.The job isn’t done, but it is a record to be proud of, and a foundation to build on through further devolution and a new generation of political leadership supported by a growing UK100 entering its next decade.”
Mete Coban MBE, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, said:
“London shows what is possible when a major city decides to clean up its air. The world’s largest clean air zone of its kind, cleaner buses and bold borough-level action have together cut nitrogen dioxide far faster than the experts predicted, and the capital’s air is now measurably cleaner and safer to breathe. But none of this happened by accident — it took political will and a refusal to accept dirty air as an inevitability. As we mark a decade of progress, my message to other leaders is simple: ambition works, and the next decade must be bolder still. This is how we are building a better and greener London for everyone.”
The report was announced at the Breathing Life conference, with keynote speakers also commenting on progress.
Emma Pinchbeck FEI, Chief Executive, Climate Change Committee, said:
“The measures that cut carbon emissions and the measures that clean our air are often one and the same – from warmer, more energy-efficient homes to cleaner transport. Local and combined authorities have a vital role to play in delivering these benefits, working alongside national government. The next decade will be critical. If we get this right, we can reduce emissions, improve public health, and create healthier, more resilient communities across the UK.”
Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, said:
“It is 70 years since the first Clean Air Act began to lift the smog from our cities, and this anniversary is a reminder that while clean air is a public health priority, victories are only won through hard-fought political will. The progress of the past decade is real and worth celebrating, but we’re not at the finish line yet. One child growing up breathing polluted air is one too many. Local leaders have shown what determined action can achieve. But whether it’s transport or heating our homes, some of the stickiest air pollution challenges still need urgent action, locally and nationally.”
Cllr Sarah Warren, Bath and North East Somerset Council, said:
“Bath’s Clean Air Zone has been a resounding success and has cut nitrogen dioxide both within and outside the zone by around 40 per cent since 2019. Strong support from government, substantial time and money spent on engagement with the community, and support for residents and businesses with grants and loans to help upgrade their vehicles, were all key to Bath’s success. UK100’s Breathing Life research captures what places like ours have achieved, and makes the case for the sustained support we need from government to go even further. Clean air is too important to be left to the postcode lottery; cities, towns and rural areas must all be supported to take action.”
Tanja Dalle-Muenchmeyer, Net Zero Manager, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“From the NHS’s perspective, the link between dirty air and ill health is not theoretical — we see it in our hospitals and clinics across the country. Preventing air pollution is one of the most cost-ef ective things we can do for a population’s health.This research estimates that local action has already saved almost 14,000 lives and avoided almost £15 billion in damage to health and the economy,easing pressure on services that are already stretched. Working across the NHS,councils and communities, we can save many more. Clean air is, quite simply, good medicine.”
Nick Smith, Head of UK Portfolio, Clean Air Fund said:
“Clean Air Fund is proud to support the Breathing Life report and conference. As a philanthropic organisation working with governments, funders, businesses and campaigners to deliver clean air for all, we back local leadership because we’ve seen it work, driving healthier communities and a stronger economy across the UK
“This research puts robust numbers on that impact: local action has saved thousands of lives and billions of pounds in avoided damage to health and the economy. Cleaning up our air is one of the smartest investments this country can make, and local leaders must be backed to go further, faster.”
Catherine Kenyon, Head of Clean Air Day, Global Action Plan said:
“Local leaders play a vital role in cleaning up our air – clearly demonstrated by UK100’s research. Over the last month, over 170 councillors have signed up to become local Clean Air Champions for Clean Air Day. These leaders care about the impact air pollution is having on their communities. From tackling emissions from wood burning, transitioning away from gas cooking, to championing sustainable transport – there is so much councils can do to clean up the air for their residents.”
Alastair Mumford, Programme Director at The MCS Foundation, said:
“The future of our homes is electric. By accelerating the transition to clean energy technologies like heat pumps, we can ensure homes do not have to burn polluting fuels for heating. Renewable energy systems have real benefits: helping to cut bills and create warmer, more comfortable homes. That’s why more households than ever are choosing to invest in renewable technologies for their homes, with one MCS certified installation every 90 seconds in 2025.”
Lynne McDonald, UK Power Networks, said:
“As transport and heating become increasingly electrified, electricity networks play a vital role in supporting the transition to cleaner energy. Our role is to make sure the network is ready to connect low-carbon technologies and support local ambitions to reduce emissions. We are proud to support Breathing Life and to work alongside local authorities driving this change. The past decade demonstrates the positive impact that collaboration between local leaders and industry can have.”
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
