Government must act now

The report states any future air quality proposals should be implemented fairly so that they don’t hit small firms.

It states that policies, like the introduction of Clean Air Zones in England, could affect up to 1.5 million small business by creating restrictions and additional costs.

Mike Cherry, FSB National chairman, said: ‘Smaller firms recognise the role they can play in reducing air pollution,

‘The path to reaching air quality targets must be affordable, achievable and fair. Firms are already struggling with the soaring costs of running a business,

‘It is simply not fair to them, or to the benefit of the wider economy to, suddenly burden them with substantial additional costs.’