Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Air Pollution

Thursday 15 October 2020 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government has a clean air strategy to reduce air pollution from various sources.
  • Government plans to set a legally binding target for PM2.5 in the Environment Bill.
  • Government will consider World Health Organisation guideline levels for PM2.5.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Environment
Context

No specific event or statistic mentioned, but the broader issue of air pollution is highlighted as a major public health challenge.

Question

What plans the Government has to reduce air pollution?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

Our clean air strategy sets out an ambitious programme of action to reduce air pollution from a wide range of sources. We have also put in place a £3.8 billion plan to tackle roadside nitrogen dioxide concentrations. The Environment Bill makes a clear commitment to set a legally binding target to reduce fine particulate matter and will enable local authorities to take more effective action to combat pollution in their areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific targets or deadlines based on WHO guidelines as requested.

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Q2 Ellie Reeves Lab Lewisham West and East Dulwich
Environment
Context

Prior to covid-19, polluted air was contributing to more than 40,000 premature deaths each year.

Question

Does the Minister agree that the Government's Environment Bill must have air quality targets that follow World Health Organisation guidance and have an attainment deadline of 2030 or before?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

The Environment Bill does introduce a duty to set a target for PM2.5. We are committing to ambitious action on this pollutant, which has the most significant impact on health. The Government are committed to an evidence-based policy on this issue. We will consider the WHO guideline levels when setting our targets, but it is imperative that we take all the right advice from all those who are working on the issue before we commit exactly to what we are going to do and how we are going to do it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer avoids committing to specific WHO guidelines or a 2030 deadline.

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Q3 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Environment
Context

New data published by City Hall on 3 October show a dramatic improvement in London's air quality since 2016.

Question

Will the Government commit to setting ambitious national targets and give local authorities the powers and the funding that they need to achieve them?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

Through our landmark Environment Bill, we will be delivering on parts of our clean air strategy, which will introduce a target for concentration levels of PM2.5. We will also have in the Bill measures that will improve local air quality management frameworks used by local authorities to make them much simpler and easier to use.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not commit to specific national targets or funding for local authorities.

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Q4 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Environment
Context

Campaigners, activists and constituents are waiting for the return of the Environment Bill.

Question

When the Bill finally returns to the House, will the Minister commit to including the World Health Organisation's guideline air pollution limits in it?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

I thank the hon. Lady for asking about the Environment Bill. As we say constantly, it will be returning very soon, but we do have an out-date for it, which is 1 December. On the point about the World Health Organisation, she should remember that these are guidelines. We have been praised for our outstanding clean air strategy, which is considered world-leading.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not commit to including WHO guidelines in the Environment Bill.

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