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Written question asked by Barry Sheerman (Labour) on Tuesday, 29 March 2022, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 31 March 2022. It was answered by Jo Churchill (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 April 2022 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Air Pollution

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health for Social Care on implementing a cross-departmental strategy to tackle the impact of poor air quality on people’s health.

Answer

Latest published figures show that air pollution has reduced significantly since 2010. However, we absolutely recognise that there is more to do to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution, which is why we are working across Government to take the range of action set out in the Clean Air Strategy.

On 16 March my Noble Friend Lord Kamall referenced in a debate on the Health and Care Bill that the next meeting of the Health Promotion Task Force would have a focus on air quality.

I recently held a round table meeting with Ministers and officials from other Government departments to discuss the range of cross-Government policies that affect air quality and its impact on public health, with a particular focus on targeting action where people are most likely to be exposed to poor air quality.

The Government recently launched a consultation on our two proposed targets for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) - a pollutant of significant harm to health:

  • A maximum annual mean concentration of 10 µg/m3 by 2040
  • A population exposure reduction target of 35% by 2040 compared to 2018

This dual-target approach will tackle the highest concentrations and ensure continuous improvement across the country. The population exposure reduction target will drive action even where concentration targets have already been achieved. We plan to set out our pathways to delivering these targets through the Environmental Improvement Plan in January 2023.

The Government has allocated £880 million to tackle nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exceedances under the 2017 NO2 Plan. We are also taking action across transport by supporting the switch to electric vehicles with £2.8 billion of investment, and £2 billion in funding for cycling and walking over this Parliament.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
149152
Session
2021-22
Grouped for answer
Yes
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Air pollution Health Pollution control
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk