Commenting on the EAC report, Sam Hall, researcher at Bright Blue, said:

"Today's report shows that the Government needs new policies to accelerate the UK towards a low-carbon transport system.

"The UK is the leading manufacturer of electric vehicles in Europe. We should be incentivising the transition to low emission vehicles by enabling more city councils to set up low emission zones in their areas and creating a national diesel scrappage scheme.

"Together, these policies would reduce urban air pollution, cut carbon emissions, and support the automotive sector. This would show an early commitment from the new Government to developing an industrial strategy."

Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism and conservative modernisers, has a campaign to tackle air pollution by enabling all English city councils to establish low emission zones.