The UK has been given a "final warning" by the European Commission over breaches of air pollution limits.

London, Birmingham, Leeds and Glasgow were among the cities identified as failing to address persistent pollution offences.

The UK will now have two months to take action, in order to avoid the possibility of the issue being referred to the European Court of Justice.

Image: Smog across the London skyline last month

Britain has been in breach of EU nitrogen dioxide (NO2) limits since 2010, with London exceeding its annual air pollution limit for the whole of 2017 during the first five days of January.

Pollution sources include factories and vehicles, with diesel engines responsible for a large part of the NO2 pollution on roads in urban areas.


There have been recent calls on the Government to introduce a diesel scrappage scheme, offering motorists £3,500 to switch from a diesel to cleaner vehicle.

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In a bid to tackle the problem, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has pledged to double funding for air quality in the capital over the next five years.

He is also due to introduce a £10 daily "toxicity charge" on diesel cars made before 2005 which travel into central London.

In December last year he was forced to issue an air quality alert at 2,500 bus countdown signs, all 270 tube stations and 140 roadside signs in London, when pollution reached high enough levels to affect those with existing health problems.

Air pollution is linked to the early deaths of about 40,000 people a year in the UK, as well as being linked to health effects that begin before birth.

Long term exposure to emissions can include asthma, and heart and lung diseases.

Image: A man wearing an anti-pollution mask rides a bicycle at Hyde Park Corner

The EU report also noted that Britain is failing in its application of laws on air quality, water standards and the conservation of several animal species.

Earlier this year, PM Theresa May spoke about the UK becoming a low tax zone post-Brexit, which has led to further fears for Britain's environmental standards.

Germany, France, Italy and Spain have also been served with a final warning.