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AIR QUALITY
03 November 2016
Lead MP
Neil Parish
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTransportClimate
Other Contributors: 31
At a Glance
Neil Parish raised concerns about air quality in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The Government have lost a case in the High Court regarding air quality, which is now being brought up again. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs needs to take action on this issue immediately; over 50,000 deaths a year are attributed to poor air quality, more than road accidents. Neil Parish calls upon the Government to consider financial incentives for scrapping diesel vehicles and promoting electric cars.
Geraint Davies
Lab
Cynon Valley
He is chuntering about diesel cars and who might be occupying them.
John Bercow
Con
Buckingham
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.
Therese Coffey
Con
Suffolk Coastal
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.
Neil Parish
Con
Tiverton and Honiton
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.
Rachael Maskell
Lab
York Central
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.
Tania Mathias
Con
Brecon and Radnorshire
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.
Therese Coffey
10:38:00
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.
Mark Field
10:38:00
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.
Ben Bradshaw
10:38:00
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.
Wendy Morton
Con
Aldridge-Brownhills
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.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
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.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
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.
Geraint Davies
10:38:00
Emphasises need for fiscal strategies, hydrogen and electric infrastructure commitment, and adherence to EU air quality standards. The Minister currently lacks these measures.
Jeremy Quin
10:38:00
Asks about the role of Government in pushing the EU to improve driving emissions tests further.
Kerry McCarthy
Lab
Bristol East
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.
Jason McCartney
10:38:00
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.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
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.
Therese Coffey
Con
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.
Oliver Colvile
Con
Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport
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.
Madeleine Moon
Labour Co-op
Bridgend
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.
Andrew Selous
Con
South West Cornwall
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.
Bristol West
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.
Rebecca Pow
Con
Taunton Deane
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.
Paul Flynn
Lab
Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire
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.
David Nuttall
Con
Bury North
Suggests that innovation and new technology could improve air quality more effectively than regulation or taxes.
Tom Brake
Lib Dem
Carshalton and Wallington
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.
Chris Davies
Con
Brecon and Radnorshire
Questions the potential impact of hydrogen and electric vehicles on emissions in cities like London. Recommends visiting his constituency for fresh air.
Barry Sheerman
Lab
Huddersfield
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.
Tom Pursglove
Con
Corby
Supporting British industries in manufacturing vehicles can be good for air quality and jobs.
Joan Ryan
Lab
Enfield North
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.]
Government Response
Improving air quality is a top priority for the Government. They are committed to cutting harmful emissions and improving public health and environmental protection. The Government will continue to work with local councils, update models based on new evidence, and mandate clean air zones in specific cities. Working closely with officials and other departments for wide range of actions expected in due course; no blame game towards previous governments. Local councils know their communities best and can come up with good schemes where they work with local home and business owners. The joint air quality unit is working on plans for the strategic road network. Treasury incentives encourage people to move towards lower emission vehicles, and councils can apply to an existing air quality fund.
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Assessment & feedback
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