UK's rising air pollution 'require bold, meaningful action', says report

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A joint parliamentary committee report released on Thursday criticized the British government's failure to act on the rising air pollution.

“Air pollution is a national health emergency resulting in an estimated 40,000 early deaths each year, costing the UK 20 billion pounds (28 billion US dollars) annually. It is unacceptable that successive governments have failed to protect the public from the poisonous air,” the report said.

The unprecedented joint-inquiry was launched amid concerns over the inadequacy of the government's plan to improve air quality in the UK.

Neil Parish, Chair of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs Committee pointed out that government's latest plan does not present an adequate response to the scale of the air quality catastrophe in the UK.

“We are concerned that the Government is treating air quality as a box-ticking exercise. Real change will require bold, meaningful action."

"We are calling on the government to develop a properly resourced support scheme available to all councils struggling with air quality, and to require manufacturers of polluting vehicles to pay their fair share by contributing to an industry-financed clean air fund.”

Committee’s report also said, the government’s approach is more concerned with box-ticking and demonstrating compliance than taking bold, affirmative action.

Last month, the UK High Court ruled for the third time in three years that the UK’s plans to combat air pollution are inadequate and unlawful.

In a ruling handed down at the High Court in London, Justice Garnham declared the government’s failure to require action from 45 local authorities with illegal levels of air pollution in their area unlawful, maintained ClientEarth, an environmental group that filed the case.

The European Union (EU) is also contemplating action against ‘toxic bloc’-- Czech Republic, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and the United Kingdom — for failing to improve air standards.

The parliamentary committee also proposed a nine-point recommendation seeking automobile industry contribution to a new clean air fund following the principle of ‘polluter pays’ principle.

The report also suggests aligning climate change schemes, urban planning, public transport and fiscal incentives with air quality goals to prevent government policy from working at cross-purposes.

Mary Creagh MP, chair of the environmental audit committee pointed out ministers have failed to address the polluted air in our choking cities.

“We need a new clean air act to ensure the government remains accountable for failures to achieve air quality commitments after the UK leaves the EU,” she said.