Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
PM2.5 is a harmful pollutant affecting human health, with Manchester having high levels of air pollution.
What steps his Department is taking to reduce PM2.5 levels in the air considering that Manchester has some of the highest air pollution levels in the country and thousands of children are seen in A&E because of asthma related to air pollution. Labour's proposal for a clean air Act would establish a legal right for everyone to breathe clean air, abiding by World Health Organisation guidelines.
The Government take air pollution seriously and have awarded £53 million to English local authorities since 2010 to support more than 500 projects tackling air pollution. An additional £10.7 million was granted in 2023 alone.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to Labour's proposal for a clean air Act
It Seems No Action Is Being Taken By The Labour Mayor Of Manchester
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Children from St Margaret's CofE Primary School are concerned about asthma and air pollution impacting their health.
Children from St Margaret's CofE Primary School have been discussing ways to reduce air pollution at their school. Labour's proposal for a clean air Act would establish a legal right for everyone to breathe clean air, abiding by World Health Organisation guidelines. Why will the Government not commit to that?
The Government take air pollution seriously and have awarded £53 million to English local authorities since 2010 to support more than 500 projects tackling air pollution. An additional £10.7 million was granted in 2023 alone.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to Labour's proposal for a clean air Act
It Seems No Action Is Being Taken By The Labour Mayor Of Manchester
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Research shows PM2.5 levels are higher in electric versions of heavier applications like buses and trucks compared to their internal combustion engine equivalents.
Research indicates that PM2.5 can be 3% to 8% higher in electric versions of vehicles such as buses and trucks than in their internal combustion counterparts. Does the hon. Friend agree that embracing all technology, including innovative solutions beyond battery-electric, is necessary for clean air and reducing PM2.5?
I welcome innovation in improving air quality, not only in transport but also in industry and commercial operations. The Government introduced legally binding targets through the Environment Act 2021 to reduce PM2.5 exposure by 35% by 2040.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on embracing all technology beyond battery-electric for clean air
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
People across the country are demanding action on clean air, but current targets set by the Government under the Environment Act are at twice the WHO limit and won't be met until 2040.
From Bournemouth to Bolton, Hull to Newcastle-under-Lyme, people are calling for action on clean air. However, the air quality targets mentioned by the Minister are set at twice the World Health Organisation limits and do not need to be achieved until 2040. Does he accept that his Government's Office for Environmental Protection finds these measures unambitious and lacking urgency?
Through our landmark Environment Act, we have set key targets to deliver. Many Opposition Members did not support all measures included in this act. We are investing £53 million to help local authorities tackle more than 500 projects related to air pollution.
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Assessment & feedback
Accepting the judgment of his Government's Office for Environmental Protection on lack of ambition
Many Opposition Members Did Not Support All Measures
Response accuracy