Europe refuses UK air pollution reprieve Government plans to
delay air pollution improvements in 12 UK areas have been
refused by the European Commission, which says air quality must
improve. The UK may now face fines if it fails to improve air
quality quickly. Air pollution reduces average life expectancy
in the UK by up to eight months, according to the government's
own statistics. But ministers have been slow to meet agree
European standards on cutting levels of the pollutant NO2. This
comes mainly from vehicles. It causes problems with breathing –
particularly for people with heart or lung problems. The UK has
been denied permission by the commission to delay air quality
improvements in 12 areas – Aberdeen and north-east Scotland;
Belfast; Birkenhead; Brighton; Bristol; Liverpool; Preston;
Sheffield; south-west England; south Wales; Swansea and
Tyneside. A judgement will be made at a later date on government
plans to delay meeting NO2 standards in major cities until 2020
– or in the case of London, 2025.