Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Air Pollution

Thursday 7 December 2023 · 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 awarded 53 million to English local authorities since 2010 for over 500 projects tackling air pollution.
  • Additional 10.7 million was granted to local authorities in 2023 alone for air pollution projects.
  • Government introduced legally binding targets through the Environment Act 2021 to reduce PM2.5 exposure by 35% by 2040.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
NHS Environment
Context

PM2.5 is a harmful pollutant affecting human health, with Manchester having high levels of air pollution.

Question

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.

Answer from Robbie Moore

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to Labour's proposal for a clean air Act

How: It Seems No Action Is Being Taken By The Labour Mayor Of Manchester

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Children & Families Environment
Context

Children from St Margaret's CofE Primary School are concerned about asthma and air pollution impacting their health.

Question

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?

Answer from Robbie Moore

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to Labour's proposal for a clean air Act

How: It Seems No Action Is Being Taken By The Labour Mayor Of Manchester

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Greg Smith Con Mid Buckinghamshire
Energy Environment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Robbie Moore

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement on embracing all technology beyond battery-electric for clean air

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Environment
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.

Question

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?

Answer from Robbie Moore

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Accepting the judgment of his Government's Office for Environmental Protection on lack of ambition

How: Many Opposition Members Did Not Support All Measures

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)