Dear constituent,

Thank you for contacting me about air pollution.

I share your concern that dangerous and illegal levels of air pollution are impacting the health of millions of people across the country, including those most vulnerable in our communities. Prior to COVID-19, polluted air was contributing to over 40,000 premature deaths in the UK every year. There is growing evidence of the link between deaths from COVID-19 and poor air quality. A recent Harvard study found that an increase in fine particulate matter of just 1 microgram per cubic metre is associated with an 8% rise in COVID-19 deaths.

I agree that we need to set enforceable targets to bring air pollution below the harmful levels set by the World Health Organization (WHO). Earlier this year, the Opposition voted to amend the Environment Bill to include a target to meet the WHO guidelines on fine particulate matter by 2030. Disappointingly, the Government voted against including this measure in the Bill.  

I am concerned, more widely, that the new environmental regulator proposed in the Bill – the Office for Environmental Protection – is not strong enough and lacks sufficient independence from government. Given that the Government has been taken to court on multiple occasions for missing air quality targets, it is crucial that the regulator has teeth to make sure that ­­targets are enforced.

The Environment Bill was being scrutinised by a Public Bill Committee in the House of Commons earlier this year, however, sittings were suspended in March due to the coronavirus lockdown. Since Parliament has returned, sittings have yet to resume although the Committee is now scheduled to report by 1 December 2020.

With less than 100 days until the end of the Brexit transition period, the Government needs to act quickly to ensure this vital piece of environmental legislation is on the statute book in time. Amid the coronavirus crisis, protecting public health from polluted air is more critical than ever.

Thank you once again for contacting me and sharing your views. I can assure you that I will continue to call on the Government to take bold and urgent action on improving air quality.  

Yours sincerely,

Peter Dowd MP