The Times launched Clean Air for All to tackle Britain’s air pollution crisis and demand the government take urgent action to update the Clean Air Act.
Highlighting the fact that millions of children are breathing dangerous levels of air pollution, The Times created an online tool to enable parents in London to check the air pollution levels of their child’s school and compare to others.
The campaign manifesto focuses on five key areas of action: 1) A new Clean Air Act to confer a legal right to clean air for everyone in the UK 2) Ban sales of new diesel and petrol cars from 2030 and reverse cut to green car grants 3) Temporary traffic bans outside schools at drop off and pick-up times. 4) Extend pre-2016 diesel and pre-2006 petrol pay zones to other cities. 5) Set up a pollution monitor in every postcode — 3000 in all.
The Clean Air campaign won the backing from then-prime minister Boris Johnson, who said: “The Times has powerfully demanded a successor to the 1956 Clean Air Act and I am proud to tell you that this Conservative government will be the one to deliver it.”
In December 2022 The House of Lords passed The Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, paving the way for the bill to be considered for debate by MPs.
The Times has a proud history of campaigning journalism. We are not just reporting on change, we are providing solutions and fighting to make a difference. Cleaning Britain’s air is in the highest public interest.”
The Times, then-editor, John Witherow
