Over 200,000 children hospitalised with breathing problems across 11 English cities
19th October 2026
Our latest research has revealed that over 200,000 children attended A&E or were admitted to hospital last year with breathing difficulties across 11 major English cities and areas.
Our freedom of information requests also revealed that the youngest children are the most affected, with over 120,000 babies and toddlers aged up to 3 accounting for over half (57%) of those admitted to A&E or hospital.
Short-term exposure to air pollution can cause or worsen breathing difficulties and asthma symptoms, and children are particularly vulnerable because their lungs are still developing. Behind each of these figures is a frightening episode of a child struggling to breathe, and a family heading to hospital.
Members of Mums for Lungs
opposite the Houses of Parliament highlighting the 213,341 children attending or being admitted to hospital across English cities with breathing problems last year.
Photo: Ron Fassbender
The NHS trusts reporting the highest numbers are:
Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester saw 12,589 children attend A&E or be admitted.
North Middlesex University Hospital in Enfield, London saw 12,015 children attend A&E or be admitted.
Alder Hey Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Liverpool saw 12,066 children attend A&E or be admitted.
University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust saw 11,780 children attend A&E or be admitted.
Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust saw 10,691 children attend A&E or be admitted.
“When Eliot was very small there were times when he simply couldn’t breathe properly, even with his inhalers. We would end up in A&E where he needed a nebuliser. No parent should have to watch their child struggling for breath like that.”
In the city of Manchester, the figures reveal a stark increase in the number of babies and toddlers being admitted, with the numbers rising by 63.9% between 2023 and 2025 - from 654 to 1072. (Figures from the Manchester Foundation NHS Trust).
The decision by then Mayor Andy Burnham to scrap plans for a Clean Air Zone in 2023 raises important questions about whether sufficient action is being taken to sustain improvements and drive pollution levels down.
Members of Mums for Lungs have been highlighting the shocking figures with banners outside hospitals across the country. Photos: Patrycja Borecka, Ron Fassbender, Sarah Pull and Eleanor Watson Malone.
Last week, Greater London, Glasgow and Bristol were declared by DEFRA to have been illegally polluted in 2025. According to DEFRA’s newest methodology, Greater Manchester is no longer illegally polluted, despite some local authority monitors measuring illegal levels of pollution last year.
None of the cities that are part of the dataset currently meet the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines.
We need stronger action to reduce children’s exposure to air pollution, including measures around schools, alongside faster progress towards cleaner air across England.
“Behind every number is a child who is struggling to breathe and a family looking for help. We cannot keep treating dirty air as inevitable or acceptable”
We are calling for:
• A clear, enforceable pathway towards World Health Organization air quality guidelines at least in line with the EU.
• Practical measures to reduce traffic-related air pollution, particularly around schools and other places where children spend time, including a transition away from diesel vehicles (cars, vans and buses).
• A phase-out of non-essential domestic wood burning.
• A public health campaign to raise awareness of air pollution, its sources and impact on everyone’s health.
You can read coverage of our research in The Guardian, the ENDS Report, Zag Daily, Air Quality News, London TV, Midlands Gazette, Thames Gazette, Southwark News and My Green Pod.