We want to know what you think about our draft plan to improve air quality in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The draft plan sets out proposed actions to meet air quality standards within the shortest possible time.

This consultation includes the following documents:

• draft UK Air Quality Plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide (‘Improving air quality in the UK: tackling nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities’)
• technical report, including details of modelling techniques and assumptions used in the draft UK Air Quality Plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide

Alongside the consultation we have also published the following:

• framework document: Clean air zone framework for England (principles which Local Authorities should follow when setting up clean air zones)
• summary of responses to the Implementation of Clean Air Zones in England consultation

The government today published a draft plan to improve air quality by reducing nitrogen dioxide levels in the UK.

The options now open for consultation on reducing nitrogen dioxide in our towns and cities are designed to reduce the impact of diesel vehicles, and accelerate the move to cleaner transport.

Local authorities are already responsible for improving air quality in their area, but will now be expected to develop new and creative solutions to reduce emissions as quickly as possible, while avoiding undue impact on the motorist.

The government is consulting on a range of measures that could be taken to mitigate the impact of action to improve air quality.

In line with the timetable directed by the Courts the government is seeking views on these proposals in advance of preparing its final plan for publication by 31 July. All final decisions will be taken by the incoming government.

This consultation will run until 15 June.

This framework sets out the principles local authorities should follow when setting up Clean Air Zones in England.

It explains the approach they should take if they are introducing a zone to improve air quality, and the types of measures they should include.

In finalising this framework, we have taken into account the comments we received on the implementation of Clean Air Zones in England consultation.