Labour MEPs warned the UK government needs to do much more to combat air pollution, following a damning report from MPs today.

The House of Commons environmental audit committee report on air quality calls for a ban on building schools, hospitals and care homes near air pollution blackspots. The report says 29,000 deaths are caused by air pollution, and that more than 1,000 schools are only 150 metres away from major roads.

Seb Dance MEP, Labour MEP for London and Socialists and Democrats Group spokesperson on the European Parliament's National Emissions Ceiling directive, said:

"We welcome today's report from the environmental audit committee. Air quality is one of the biggest issues facing London and the whole country today. I have said over and over again that simply not enough is being done - be it by City Hall or Number 10.

"The Mayor's new strategy is simply too little, too late - and the idea we can just carry on for another six years until his 'Ultra Low Emission Zone' comes into place is nonsense, especially while the UK continues to miss the EU's minimum targets for air quality.

"Labour MEPs will continue to push for renewing the National Emissions Ceiling directive to push the UK government to take the risks of poor air quality seriously.

"Twenty nine thousand people are dying prematurely every year because of poor air quality, and this government is simply not doing enough."

ENDS
 
For further information, please contact Shamik Das on 0044 7920 441362 or 0032 479 790053.
 
www.eurolabour.org.uk • @EuroLabour

Notes to Editors

1. The report says: "Meeting EU standards should be the minimum requirement. Regardless of EU rulings it is unacceptable that UK citizens could have their health seriously impaired over decades before this public health problem is brought under control. Urgent change is needed in transport and planning policy to save lives and ensure that the UK meets European safety much sooner than the expected dates indicated by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs."

2. The full report, 'Action on Air Quality', can be found here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmenvaud/212/212.pdf

3. A public consultation on the proposed Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) in London is currently taking place - more information can be found here: https://www.tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/low-emission-zone/ultra-low-emission-zone