AIR QUALITY

He is chuntering about diesel cars and who might be occupying them.

The House should listen to the Minister's speech on air quality. She has expertise in this field as a doctor, and she will address the concerns of MPs.

Improving air quality is a priority for the Government. The UK meets almost all legal limits for pollutants but faces challenges with nitrogen dioxide levels, affecting 16 other EU countries as well. Transport accounts for 80% of NOx emissions at the roadside in areas needing improvement. The Government has committed over £2 billion to green transport initiatives and is mandating five cities to introduce clean air zones.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is in the dock due to failing on air quality twice in 18 months. Neil Parish calls upon the Government to take rapid action or face legal consequences again. He suggests financial incentives like a scrappage scheme and changes to vehicle tax systems to get older diesel vehicles off the roads quickly.

Up to 50,000 people die prematurely each year due to air pollution. Labour calls for a network of clean air zones in all areas with high emission levels and asks the Government to introduce a comprehensive plan on air quality soon.

Inquires about how the Government can support pollution from Heathrow's third runway when it increases car journeys by 2 million over two years, given recent court judgments on air quality.

The Environmental Audit Committee does important work, and the Department for Transport has been working closely with DEFRA. A joint air quality unit was established earlier this year. The scheme to fund more charging points for low-emission vehicles was launched last month, focusing on taxis as well as cars. We take air quality very seriously and will be making further progress.

Encouraged to hear that the Minister is prioritising air quality, but hopes it remains a priority until resolved. The current state of affairs is deplorable and constituents need incentives to stop diesel usage. The Minister should make representations at the highest level.

Air pollution is the biggest avoidable killer after smoking, requiring urgent action. More needs to be done in response to court defeats and new measures are necessary now rather than waiting for them to take time to work up.

Agrees that more needs to be done and is grateful for the Minister's statement. Home-grown innovation and technologies should be used in seeking to address air quality issues.

Compliments Mayor of London for cleaning up London’s bus fleet, urging the Minister for a comprehensive national plan including scrappage schemes and fiscal incentives to remove highest polluting vehicles from roads.

Air quality in his constituency often reaches dangerous levels. Urges the Minister to join him in urging North Yorkshire County Council for a clear strategy to deal with this problem.

Emphasises need for fiscal strategies, hydrogen and electric infrastructure commitment, and adherence to EU air quality standards. The Minister currently lacks these measures.

Asks about the role of Government in pushing the EU to improve driving emissions tests further.

Refers to a Sunday Times investigation revealing 3,000 schools affected by toxic air pollution. Asks what the Government is doing specifically to ensure protection of schoolchildren from air pollution.

Labour-run Kirklees Council forces through huge housing developments with scant regard for air quality impact, asks for air quality at the forefront of planning reforms and a clean air zone in Huddersfield.

The M1 motorway has dangerously high NO2 levels affecting his constituency. The council can only do so much, a national plan from the Government to reduce NO2 emissions is needed.

The joint air quality unit is working on plans for the strategic road network, and our modelling was based on the best available evidence. Local councils can apply to the air quality fund.

Plymouth is one of the worst cities for air quality in the UK according to the World Health Organisation. There is an 11-year difference in life expectancy between different parts of Plymouth.

The problem lies with the Treasury rather than DEFRA, and local authorities are already struggling to provide services. The Treasury should provide funds needed for tackling air quality issues.

DFEFA should liaise carefully with DFT and the Treasury before the autumn statement to ensure good news on 23 November. Older diesel vehicles are often driven by lower-income individuals as their means of transportation.

There are four primary schools near motorways in Bristol; the Government should not blame local councils but provide funding to tackle the problem. Will meet MPs and Mayor to discuss funding.

Commits to introducing clean air zones in five cities by 2020; will consider extending them to more towns and customizing zones based on individual needs.

Welsh M4 relief road project: one route increases pollution in heavily populated areas, while the other disperses it. Urges support for the latter to reduce pollution.

Suggests that innovation and new technology could improve air quality more effectively than regulation or taxes.

Opposes a third runway at Heathrow due to its impact on air quality. Asks for assurance that the third runway will not be built unless air pollution can be contained within legal limits.

Questions the potential impact of hydrogen and electric vehicles on emissions in cities like London. Recommends visiting his constituency for fresh air.

Calls for a scrappage scheme to remove dirty diesel buses and cars from towns and cities, as the public is ahead of politicians on this issue. Urges action now.

Supporting British industries in manufacturing vehicles can be good for air quality and jobs.

Critiques the lack of specific plans and funding from Treasury, noting that constituents are not reassured by current measures regarding NOx pollution near major roads.

The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point, but we do have to have a sense of urgency on this issue, and I am absolutely committed to prioritising it. It is a top priority for me and the Secretary of State. I will echo what the Prime Minister said: ‘We have taken action, but there is more to do and we will do it.’—[Official Report, 2 November 2016; Vol. 616, c. 887.]