The government's plan for tackling UK's air pollution has been judged illegal in high court today.

Bright Blue, the independent think tank for liberal conservatism, found that four in ten local authorities are in breach of legal air quality limits and is campaigning for city councils to be enabled to establish low emission zones.

Commenting, Sam Hall, Environment Researcher at Bright Blue, said:

"The government now needs to increase the ambition of its air quality plan. Official figures show four in ten local authorities in the UK last year breached their legal limits, proving the problem affects more than the five cities establishing Clean Air Zones.

"Ministers should enable all English cities to introduce Clean Air Zones by devolving more powers and funding to local authorities. This must be accompanied by further measures to support the roll-out of electric vehicles."