Plans to tackle UK air pollution delayed

Plans to overcome air pollution in the UK is at a standstill after the government applied for an extension to a publication deadline.

The proposals are expected to target drivers of diesel vehicles and a published draft of proposals was due yesterday, 24 April.

However, an application for an extension has been made on the grounds that it would breach purdah rules in the run-up to the General Election.

The request asks that the proposals are not submitted until 30 June, with the full air pollution policy due in September.

The extension is in the process of going through the courts and a decision will be made in the next few days.

The argument for this application is that purdah restricts the announcement of new government initiatives in the run-up to an election that could prove to give one party an unfair advantage.

These rules can be lifted though in exceptional circumstances, such as public health matters.