Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Air Quality

03 February 2021 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Theresa Villiers Con Chipping Barnet

ClimateEnvironment

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Theresa Villiers raised concerns about air quality in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

Key points

  • Theresa Villiers moved a Bill to improve air quality, stressing the need for further action beyond the existing clean air strategy.
  • She highlighted the requirement for urgent research on setting legally binding PM2.5 targets.
  • Villiers called for better enforcement of tailpipe emissions standards and for transitioning to cleaner forms of transport.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Theresa Villiers Con Chipping Barnet

Theresa Villiers moved a Bill to improve air quality, emphasising that poor air quality is a significant threat to public health. She highlighted the need for further action beyond the Government's existing clean air strategy and called for urgent research on setting legally binding PM2.5 targets. The Environment Bill introduced by her previously would set rigorous environmental standards and accountability measures. Villiers also underscored the importance of protecting nature, reducing domestic burning pollution, and transitioning to cleaner forms of transport such as electric vehicles and buses. She warned about the potential negative impact of poorly implemented cycling lanes and low traffic neighbourhoods on air quality and emphasised the need for better enforcement of tailpipe emissions standards. The Government's £3.8 billion plan to reduce harmful transport emissions was praised, alongside a call for more investment in green jobs.

Other contributors (1)
  • Theresa Villiers Con Chipping Barnet

    Villiers stressed the urgent need to address air pollution due to its severe impact on public health. She discussed the Environment Bill's role in setting ambitious PM2.5 targets and protecting nature, along with calls for stricter enforcement of vehicle emission standards. The MP also highlighted the importance of reducing domestic burning, improving transport systems through electric vehicles and buses, and protecting urban green spaces. She raised concerns about London’s progress on air quality despite significant funding and criticised plans for a third runway at Heathrow as detrimental to air quality.

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