Key facts
- Lower-income areas and minority-ethnic populations face higher air pollution levels.
- Air pollution is linked to heart disease, strokes, cancer, asthma, and developmental issues in children.
- Over 200,000 children were hospitalized with breathing difficulties in 11 English cities in 2025.
- The UK lacks a dedicated mechanism to address health inequalities caused by air pollution.
- The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs aims to cut harmful particle exposure by nearly a third by 2030.
A coalition of 150 scientists, Members of Parliament, and activists have called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to initiate a national inquiry into the disproportionate health effects of air pollution. Their appeal highlights research from the Institute for Fiscal Studies, which found that lower-income areas and minority-ethnic populations are exposed to higher levels of air pollution. This exposure is linked to serious health conditions, including heart disease, strokes, cancer, and respiratory problems in children. The group noted the absence of a dedicated mechanism in the UK to address these health inequalities stemming from air pollution. Recent data from Mums for Lungs shows that over 200,000 children were hospitalized with breathing difficulties in 2025 across 11 English cities, with a significant rise in admissions for babies and toddlers in Manchester. Despite progress in some urban areas, illegal levels of air pollution persist in parts of London, Glasgow, and Bristol. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs acknowledged the need for more action, stating that new targets aim to reduce harmful particle exposure by nearly a third by 2030.