Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Winter Air Quality

Thursday 28 October 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Kate Osamor asked about the impact of air pollution on hospital admissions and early deaths, urging the government to set firm targets in the Environment Bill.
  • Kate Osamor inquired about the odorous emissions from Walleys Quarry in Newcastle-under-Lyme affecting local air quality and respiratory health, noting a judicial review case.
  • Aaron Bell questioned the City of York's plans to build new car parks despite existing air quality challenges, highlighting the threat to public health, particularly those with respiratory conditions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
NHS Environment
Context

King's College London research found that poor air quality led to 1,000 hospital admissions per year for those with pre-existing conditions in 2014 and 2016. In 2018, the same institution reported up to 36,000 premature deaths annually due to air pollution.

Question

Research recorded 1,000 hospital admissions a year among those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. In 2018, King's College London found that as many as 36,000 people a year die early due to air pollution. When will the Government stop tinkering around the edges and finally introduce legally binding limits to abide by the World Health Organisation's stricter clean air standards?

Answer from Jo Churchill

We need to get those targets right. In the Environment Bill, we have committed to setting a target based on evidence for fine particulate matter. We are currently reviewing the air quality strategy and will look at a revised strategy in 2023. The PM2 target is on a population basis, but we also need individual exposure targets.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment to legally binding limits was not provided.

How: We Need To Get Those Targets Right., It Is Important That We Get The Evidence Right To Set The Right Targets.

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Q2 Kate Osamor Labour (Co-op) Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
NHS Environment
Context

The odorous emissions from Walleys Quarry have led to serious respiratory impacts, including a five-year-old boy who won his judicial review against the Environment Agency.

Question

As you know, Mr Speaker, in Newcastle-under-Lyme we suffer with poor air quality from the odorous emissions of Walleys Quarry, which has had a serious impact on respiratory disease. That includes the case of the five-year-old boy who won his judicial review against the Environment Agency. Does the Minister share my concern that the Environment Agency has frustrated attempts by investigators to access the public register? Does she agree that it must be open to having the register inspected by those trying to get to the bottom of how this scandalous situation has been allowed to develop?

Answer from Jo Churchill

My hon. Friend and I have already had several discussions on this matter. We hope to have a further meeting next week and visit the site shortly. The Environment Agency considers existing concentration of relevant pollutants, setting lower limits if air quality levels are exceeded due to impacts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Concrete commitment or timeline not provided for addressing concerns about the public register.

How: We Hope To Have A Further Meeting Next Week And Visit The Site Shortly.

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Q3 Aaron Bell
Housing Transport Environment
Context

The City of York council, despite being run by Lib Dem/Green coalition, is instituting six new car parks in the city centre. This action poses a further threat to people's lives, especially those with respiratory conditions.

Question

City of York's Lib Dem/Green council—Oh, the irony of it—is instituting six new car parks in our city centre. As a result, there will be a further threat to people's lives, particularly with regard to respiratory conditions, given the already challenged air quality. What discussions is the Minister having with the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to ensure that councils do not put new car parks in their planning?

Answer from Jo Churchill

There are many local initiatives going on. The nitrogen dioxide plan, which I spoke about earlier, is the key to driving down emissions, and we are working with the Department for Transport on that.

Not addressed: No specific discussion or action related to car park developments was mentioned.

How: There Are Many Local Initiatives Going On.

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