Ellie Ames 22 December 2023

Think-tank calls for ‘sensible adjustments’ to clean air zones

Think-tank calls for ‘sensible adjustments’ to clean air zones image
Image: Edwin Ellis CreativeMedia / Shutterstock.com

Schemes to reduce air pollution should be designed to avoid penalising those living in more deprived areas, a think-tank has said.

In a new report, liberal conservatism think-tank Bright Blue has argued that the increasing politicisation of clean air measures risks stalling progress in cutting pollution.

In areas with clean air zones (CAZs), charges should be different in inner cities and outer urban areas to reflect the varying availability of public transport, the report argues.

It also says councils should be allowed to pursue ‘reasonable profits’ from the zones if revenue is used to provide more generous scrappage schemes for those in more deprived areas.

The report’s lead author, Will Prescott, said: ‘People will be far more likely to support CAZs if they don’t unduly penalise the least well off.

‘We need sensible adjustments to CAZs that offer an equitable way to improve cleaner air quality in England’s deprived areas.’

The report also says local authorities should be able to ban domestic burning within certain areas on days when air pollution is forecast to be harmful to human health.

It adds that domestic wood-burning stoves should be required to include a health warning to address the poor public awareness of their harmful medical effects, both to people who use them and their neighbours.

Alexander Stafford MP, member of the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee, said: ‘We must ensure that our transition towards cleaner air is a just transition and that we bring everyone with us as we move towards cleaner air.

‘Policies which ignore the needs of the least well-off are as useless as policies which will not provide adequate air pollution reduction – these objectives must be balanced.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Corporate Director Children and Young People’s Service

North Yorkshire Council
£136,853 to £159,178 plus relocation support
North Yorkshire is England's largest county and a beautiful, vibrant place to live and work. Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Customer Service Assistant

Essex County Council
Up to £12541.00 per annum
Customer Service AssistantPermanent, Part Time£12,541 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Executive Director of Communications and Engagement

City of London
Competitive Salary
This role requires strategic vision, operational excellence, and political acumen London (City of), London (Greater)
Recuriter: City of London

Support Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£25992 - £28163
You will be supporting adults with learning disabilities, mental health needs, ageing needs and dementia. This is a frontline role where you will be providing high quality and meaningful activities, medication support, personal care, food and drink prepar Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Community Support Worker

Essex County Council
£25395.0000 - £32131.0000 per annum
The Role As a Community Support Worker, your role will include undertaking Assessments and Reviews in line with our Statutory duties under the Care England, Essex, Clacton-On-Sea
Recuriter: Essex County Council
Linkedin Banner