The UK's failure to achieve EU standards on air pollution is leading to the deaths of thousands of people, according to a report by an influential group of MPs.
Parliament's green watchdog, the
Environmental Audit Committee, says 30,000 deaths were linked to bad
air quality in 2008, with 4,000 in London alone.
The committee report says Ministers are more concerned with avoiding fines from the
European Commission than taking steps to curb pollution and more action is needed to cut pollution on the UK's roads.
The inquiry said dangerous levels of particulate matter and chemicals, such as NO2, in the air are contributing to tens of thousands of early deaths every year in UK cities. Yet MPs found that Ministers appear to be actively trying to dilute safety standards to avoid EU fines.
Chair of the committee, Joan Walley MP, said: "It is a national scandal that thousands of people are still dying from air pollution in the UK in 2011 – and the Government is taking no responsibility for this.
"It is often the poorest people in our cities who live near the busiest roads and breath in diesel fumes, dangerous chemicals and bits of tyre every day.
"If you have heart disease, asthma or other respiratory illnesses then living near a congested road like this can literally take years off your life.
"Despite a coalition pledge to meet European safety standards on air pollution the Government appears to be lobbying behind the scenes to water these rules down."
30,000 deaths in the UK were linked to air pollution in 2008 – with 4,000 in London alone. But business plans produced by the Department for Transport and Defra do not even mention air quality – despite a commitment in the Coalition agreement to work towards full
compliance with EU air quality standards.
The Government will be able to pass EU fines for air pollution breaches to local authorities, subject to new procedures in the Localism Bill, and claims that councils have the tools available to improve air quality. However, the report raises a number of concerns about the ability of councils to tackle this problem without coordination and assistance from central Government and points out that the causes of poor air quality are often beyond an individual authority's control.
Low emission zonesJoan Walley MP added: "The Government should help local authorities remove the most polluting vehicles from our streets by introducing a national framework for low emissions zones.
"The committee is calling on the Government to establish a national framework of low emissions zones to help local authorities reduce traffic pollution. It is also urging Ministers to launch a public awareness campaign to drive air quality up the political agenda."
Caroline Lucas MP, a member of the committee, said: "Ministers must take urgent action to improve air quality across the UK – and step up efforts towards a greener
transport policy to encourage people out of their cars and onto public transport".
Joan Walley MP concluded: "Ministers must clear the air in our cities – not lobby the EU to dilute pollution safety standards."
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