Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Toxic Air Pollutants: Local Authorities

Thursday 22 April 2021 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tony Lloyd asked the Minister about committing to PM2.5 targets inline with WHO guidelines due to Ella Kissi-Debrah's death.
  • The Minister stated they are taking advice on PM2.5 due to no safe limit existing and highlighted their clean air strategy as world-leading.
  • The Environment Bill will introduce a duty to set long-term air-quality targets and exposure targets after consulting with experts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tony Lloyd Lab
NHS Environment
Context

Following a family tragedy where Ella Kissi-Debrah died due to air pollution, the coroner has recently recommended bringing UK air-quality standards up to World Health Organisation levels.

Question

The death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debrah was a family tragedy made public when the coroner decided her death was caused by air pollution. The latest report states there is no safe level of air pollution and calls for WHO-standardised levels, which would significantly reduce pollution. Will the Minister commit to these recommendations?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

We are taking this issue seriously and met Ella's mother to listen closely. The coroner's report was published yesterday, and we will respond in due course. Through our Environment Bill, we will introduce a duty to set long-term air-quality targets and exposure targets after consulting with experts. A £3.8 million air clean-up programme is underway.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to accepting the WHO recommendation for air quality standards but stated they are considering it seriously.

How: We Will Respond In Due Course, Taking This Issue Extremely Seriously

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Q2 Tony Lloyd Lab
Environment
Context

The coroner's report on Ella Kissi-Debrah's death recommended the Government view WHO air-quality guidelines as minimum requirements, due to all particulate matter being harmful.

Question

Yesterday, in response to Ella Kissi-Debrah's death, the coroner published a prevention of future deaths report that recommended viewing WHO air quality guidelines as minimum standards because particulate matter is harmful. When will the Minister commit to setting PM2.5 targets at least in line with these guidelines?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

The report highlights no safe limit for PM2.5, so we are taking advice on it. Our clean air strategy is acclaimed as world-leading and sets steps to improve air quality. The Environment Bill will introduce a duty to set long-term targets on air quality and exposure targets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to setting PM2.5 targets in line with WHO guidelines but stated they are leading on clean air strategies.

How: Taking So Much Advice, Leading As World-Leading

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Q3 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Environment
Context

In the Committee, Labour attempted to include WHO air-quality guidelines into the Environment Bill but were voted down. The coroner now recommends setting PM2.5 targets at least in line with these guidelines.

Question

Labour tried to write WHO air quality guidelines into the Environment Bill but were voted down. In response to Ella Kissi-Debrah's death, the coroner recommends viewing these guidelines as minimum requirements due to particulate matter being harmful. When will the Minister commit to a PM2.5 target at least in line with these guidelines?

Answer from Rebecca Pow

There is no safe limit for PM2.5, which is why we are taking advice on it. Our clean air strategy is acclaimed as world-leading and sets steps to improve air quality. The Environment Bill will introduce duties to set long-term targets on air quality.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to setting PM2.5 targets in line with WHO guidelines but praised their clean air strategy as leading.

How: Taking So Much Advice, Leading As World-Leading

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