Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Air Pollution

Thursday 10 March 2022 · 2 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government announced grants worth more than 11 million for air quality improvement projects
  • Last year, over 1 million was awarded to local authorities for projects specifically aimed at children's air quality improvement
  • Local authorities can choose to monitor air quality outside schools but may prefer to target resources at improving air quality generally

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Geraint Davies Lab
Education Environment
Context

There is a need to address the impact of toxic air pollution on vulnerable groups, particularly children in and around schools.

Question

Whether his Department plans to monitor levels of toxic air pollution around schools. Air pollution has reached record lows but there remains a critical need to protect vulnerable groups, especially children. Last year, over £1 million was awarded to local authorities under the Department's air quality grant for projects targeting children. The questioner seeks clarity on future monitoring efforts and actions planned by the government.

Answer from Jo Churchill

Air pollution is at a record low, but more needs to be done to protect vulnerable groups. Last year, over £1 million was awarded to local authorities for projects specifically aimed at children's air quality improvement. Yesterday, the government announced grants worth more than £11 million across 40 local authorities with several focused on schools and their monitoring.

Answered
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Q2 Geraint Davies Lab
Environment
Context

A company named Vortex manufactures high-quality, low-cost digital air quality monitors used to deliver local schemes with public support. Half a million children suffer from toxic levels of air pollution.

Question

Vortex manufactures digital air quality monitors that are helping deliver local air quality schemes supported by the public. Given half a million children in schools suffer from toxic levels of air pollution, will the Minister provide such monitors across the country to drive public opinion and better air quality as per WHO standards?

Answer from Jo Churchill

The hon. Gentleman is a very assiduous campaigner on this issue. Local authorities can choose to monitor outside schools but it may be better to target resources at improving air quality generally. The government gave £11.6 million yesterday, with more than £1 million for education following the coroner's report on Ella Kissi-Debrah. The Minister would be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to providing monitors across the country and instead suggested local authorities can choose to monitor air quality around schools.

How: Local Authorities Can Choose To Monitor Outside Schools But It May Be Better To Target Resources At Improving Air Quality Generally.

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