Local Elections 2026
Ask your council to make our air cleaner!
Image: Beth Wan
Many people across the country will go to the polls in May. These will be the last local elections before 2030, the year by which England committed to key targets and actions on the path to Net Zero.
They are also the final local elections before the next national election, giving them added political significance.
We’ve developed our election asks for local parties. We’d love you to get involved by asking your local candidates to sign up.
Why air pollution must be a priority
Air pollution is the biggest environmental risk to our health, causing heart disease, lung conditions, strokes, asthma and shortened lives. Children, older people, and those in busy or low-income areas are hit the hardest.
Local authorities have a real and direct role in tackling this, by reducing traffic near schools with School Streets, raising awareness about wood burning, and discouraging the most polluting vehicles.
Candidates are currently in listening mode - let’s make sure they hear our concerns and commit to real action once elected.
Our campaign’s key asks
Mums for Lungs is asking local parties nationwide to commit to our four air pollution pledges, and supporting you to do the same. We’ve already met Green, Labour, and Lib Dem candidates in London and are aiming for many more. Please email Sharon at volunteers@mumsforlungs.org if you would like help reaching out to your candidates.
“We fully support the asks from Mums for Lungs. Proper political leadership, action on wood burner pollution, reducing miles driven and expanding School Streets are all vital steps toward cleaner air and a healthier borough.”
Our asks in detail
Appoint a Cabinet Member for Clean Air
Clean air and healthy children cut across the traditional portfolios of Climate, Environment, Transport, Communities, Health and Children. Having a cabinet or executive member for clean air signals that air pollution is a council priority, keeps the topic front and centre and provides a way to hold councils accountable.
In boroughs where this has been implemented following our past campaigning - seven in London and Manchester City Council - we see a much clearer, stronger and impactful approach to reducing air pollution.
Expand or implement School Streets
All children deserve a healthy and safe start to the day. School Streets reduce traffic and road danger, and travelling actively to school improves learning outcomes. School Streets are a popular policy with parents, schools and residents alike; there is so much potential for this scheme to be expanded across the country.
Councils vary in their progress on School Streets, so for some parties this ask will be to start implementing School Streets, and for others, it will be to expand their schemes and ensure schools that are unable to have a School Street can have alternative measures to reduce pollution.
Discourage unnecessary wood burning
Councils can take strong leadership by raising awareness of the health impacts of wood burning.
Our research has repeatedly shown that the enforcement mechanism in smoke control areas is not working, and that councils need more powers and funding to be able to act to reduce particle pollution from burning. We need councils to lobby the Government to devolve the necessary powers and funding, and for further action to phase out burning by those who do not need to burn.
Borough-specific measures
Our optional fourth ask is for you to decide. What would be most appropriate in your borough?
From diesel or SUV surcharges to kerbside strategies, it depends on what is possible and what would make the most difference in your borough.
We are collaborating with other campaigners so if you like the sound of our asks and want to join this campaign, please get in touch and let’s have a chat!