Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many diesel (a) cars and (b) vans were registered for the first time in each (i) region of England and (ii) borough in Greater London in each month in 2023.

Answered by Guy Opperman

The number of diesel (a) cars and (b) vans registered for the first time in each (i) region of England and (ii) borough in Greater London in 2023, for which data are available, is provided in the Excel file attached.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to tackle (a) workforce sickness and (b) reduced productivity due to air pollution.

Answered by Mims Davies - Shadow Minister (Women)

The Joint DWP and DHSC Work & Health Directorate was set up in 2015 in recognition of the significant link between work and health and to reflect the shared agenda of boosting employment opportunities for disabled people and people with health conditions. This not only benefits people’s health and wealth, but also the UK economy through increased productivity and reduced economic inactivity.

The Government therefore has an ambitious programme of initiatives to support disabled people and people with health conditions, including conditions linked to air pollution, to start, stay and succeed in work. These include: the Work and Health Programme; Access to Work grants; Disability Confident; a digital information service for employers; Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres; and Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care.

Building on existing provision and the £2 billion investment announced at the Spring Budget, we announced a new package of support in Autumn Statement 2023 to: double the number of places on the Universal Support employment programme; launch WorkWell in approximately 15 pilot areas; and explore new ways of providing individuals receiving a fit note with timely access to support, alongside a newly established occupational health taskforce.

The Joint Air Quality Unit (JAQU) was established as a joint venture between Defra and the DfT to deliver the Government’s NO₂ reduction strategies and they have provided this Department with the following information.

The UK is compliant with all its current domestic and international emission reduction commitments. This includes emissions of ammonia (with the inclusion of an approved adjustment), non-methane volatile organic compounds, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulphur dioxide.

However, the Government recognises there is more to do to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution, which is why we are taking the significant and wide-ranging action to drive improvements to air quality as set out in our Environmental Improvement Plan 2023.

This action is supported by the Environment Act 2021, through which we set two ambitious new targets for PM2.5, the pollutant most damaging to human health. Our innovative dual-target approach will improve public health by tackling areas where concentrations are highest as well as driving action to reduce exposure for all, maximising public health benefit.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to require companies to tackle material air pollution issues.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

In the Environmental Improvement Plan the Government set out measures to tackle air pollution from a range of sources.

With regards to industrial pollution, installations are required by the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2016 to have an environmental permit and meet limits on emissions. The Environmental Improvement Plan included a commitment to consult on improvements to the mechanisms for developing standards for industrial processes to better reflect our priorities for the environment and to support businesses in innovating and delivering net zero.

Through the new UK Best Available Techniques system Defra is working with industry, regulators and the devolved administrations to update standards for industry through an evidence-led, collaborative approach, which will reduce emissions from the largest industries.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department plans to take steps to improve the Industrial Emissions Directive to further reduce emissions.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) 2016 implement the Industrial Emissions Directive. In the Environmental Improvement Plan, the Government committed to consult on improvements to the mechanisms for developing standards for industrial processes to better reflect our priorities for the environment and to support businesses in innovating and delivering net zero.

Through the new UK Best Available Techniques system Defra is working with industry, regulators and the devolved administrations to update standards for industry through an evidence-led, collaborative approach, which will reduce emissions from the largest industries.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government (a) is taking and (b) plans to take to ensure parity in air pollution reporting requirements between the UK and EU.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

This Government is committed to leaving the environment in a better state than we found it and we have been clear that we will uphold our high standards on environmental protections and meet our international commitments. Having left the EU we want to ensure that our regulatory framework is appropriate, tailored to the UK and able to drive improved environmental outcomes.

The UK reports against requirements for both emissions and concentrations of air pollutants, as set out in domestic and international legislation. Concentrations are assessed under the Air Quality Standards Regulations 2010 and Environment Act 2021, both of which have annual reporting publications. Achievement of existing emission targets and projected achievement of future targets are reported as part of our domestic obligations under the National Emission Ceilings Regulations 2018 ensuring transparency and scrutiny of the UK’s progress. Emissions are also reported to the UNECE Secretariat to fulfil our international reporting obligations under the UNECE Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution. In addition to reporting to meet legislative requirements, the UK reports the data in two annual Accredited Official Statistics releases and makes more granular data available through the UK-Air and National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory websites.

The UK also continues to report on industrial emissions through the UK Pollutant Release and Transfer Protocol (PRTR), which is retained EU law and implements the UNECE Kyiv Protocol on PRTRs.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if the Government will adopt the World Health Organisation's guidelines on the maximum permissible levels of pollutants, published in September 2021, in the context of research published by the University of Dundee on the impact of air pollution on hospital admissions for respiratory disease among children.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The World Health Organisation Air Quality Guidelines are intended to inform the setting of air quality standards and are not ready-made targets for adoption.

We recently set two new stretching and achievable targets for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) under the Environment Act 2021, following an evidence-based process informed by the WHO Guidelines.

We are working towards delivering these targets as set out in the Environmental Improvement Plan 2023 and Air Quality Strategy, which will have significant public health benefits, including for children.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of a Palestinian Visa scheme based upon the Ukraine Visa scheme that allows those with family in the UK to be given safe passage.

Answered by Tom Pursglove

The UK Government is monitoring the situation in Israel and Gaza closely to ensure that it is able to respond appropriately.

We recognise that some people impacted by the events in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories may wish to join family in the UK. The Government is working with authorities across the region to facilitate the repatriation of British citizens and their family members who already hold permission to come to the UK.

There are currently no plans to introduce bespoke arrangements for people arriving from the region who do not hold permission to come to the UK.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether protocols exist to warn the (a) general public and (b) susceptible individuals during periods of high levels of air pollution.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Government makes a wide range of information available to the public through the UK-Air website and X feed. This includes a five-day forecast, the latest local measurements from our nationwide monitoring networks, and health advice informed by the work of the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants.

Air quality forecasts are communicated using the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI). The DAQI informs the public about levels of air pollution in their area and provides health advice in the form of recommended actions that could be taken according to the level of air pollution for both the general public and susceptible individuals.

As part of the Air Quality Information System review, we are conducting an evaluation assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of the current DAQI.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the implications for her Department's policies of the report from the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology entitled Indoor Air Quality, published on 26 September 2023.

Answered by Damian Hinds

The department publishes non-statutory guidance on indoor air quality in ‘Building Bulletin 101: Guidelines on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in school’ (BB101).

BB101 is regularly reviewed to ensure that it aligns with best practice and industry standards to deliver high-quality school environments. The department will assess the report of the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) for any relevant new information.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what reviews he has undertaken on the adequacy of the Clean Air Act 1993 since the Review of the Clean Air Act Call for Evidence Summary of Responses, published in July 2014.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Since the Review of the Clean Air Act Call for Evidence Summary of Responses was published, we have passed the Environment Act 2021.

This legislation updated our comprehensive legal framework, including by amending the Clean Air Act 1993. The Environmental Improvement Plan published in January 2023 sets out the further actions we will take to reduce emissions, including from domestic sources and industry.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure compliance with (a) legal limits and (b) targets for (i) benzo[a]pyrene, (ii) nickel, (iii) nitrogen dioxide, (iv) ozone and (v) particulate matter.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We are delivering a wide range of actions to drive improvements to air quality:

• We introduced two new interim targets for fine particulate matter, which are set out in our Environmental Improvement Plan 2023.
• Delivering the NO₂ programme, which has ring-fenced £883m to work with local authorities to develop and implement measures to address NO₂ exceedances in the shortest possible time.
• Published an update report that sets out the measures taken by operators and regulators to achieve target values for benzo[a]pyrene and nickel in December 2023 at 2021 Reports on Measures - Defra, UK.
• Reducing the UK’s emissions of ozone precursor chemicals through the EIP and International engagement through the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP).

We continually measure ambient concentrations of a wide range of air pollutants, including ozone, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particles, hydrocarbons, and metallic pollutants at over 500 urban, suburban, roadside, industrial and rural locations throughout the UK. In September 2023 we published the Air Pollution in the UK 2022 report providing the most comprehensive and complete analytical picture of the UK’s air pollution during 2022, at Air Pollution in the UK report - Defra, UK.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will take steps to ensure that the report entitled Assessment of the effectiveness of measures under the Clean Air Act 1993, published on 20 July 2012, is updated to include (a) modern fuels and (b) technologies.

Answered by Robbie Moore - Shadow Minister (Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We have no current plans to update the named report.

Through the Environment Act 2021, we updated our comprehensive legal framework, including by amending the Clean Air Act 1993. The Environmental Improvement Plan published in January 2023 sets out the further actions we will take to reduce emissions, including from domestic sources and industry.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she is taking to help ensure that children in school are not exposed to high levels of air pollution.

Answered by Damian Hinds

The department has published the Building Bulletin 101, which provides non-statutory guidance on ventilation, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in schools. This is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/building-bulletin-101-ventilation-for-school-buildings.

Local outdoor air quality is the responsibility of local authorities who should prepare air quality action plans to ensure the level of pollutants is reduced. In January 2019, the government published the Clean Air Strategy setting out plans to deal with all sources of pollution. This is accessible at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/clean-air-strategy-2019.

Guidance on good estate management for ventilation in schools is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/good-estate-management-for-schools/health-and-safety.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make it her policy to monitor firms with financial ties to sovereign wealth funds originating from countries that do not have transparent and democratic systems to ensure the (a) effective allocation, (b) efficient implementation and (c) transparent reporting of committed funds.

Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

The UK is an open economy and we welcome global investment. UK firms that have financial ties to Sovereign Wealth Funds already have to abide by the UK's regulatory regimes for corporate practice, including the Companies Act, 2006.

Pre-1997 non-indexed company pensions

Arms to Israel

International Court of Justice Ruling on Gaza and the UK’s duties under the Genocide Convention

Alan Bates and the Freedom of the City of Liverpool

Household Support Fund (No. 2)

Achieving clean air

Found: Tuesday 10 May 202 2 Members present1 Geraint Davies, in the Chair Kirsty Blackman Rosie Duffield

Found: 100.0%) Jon Cruddas (Labour, Dagenham and Rainham) (added 2 Mar 2020) 13 of 20 (65.0%) Geraint Davies

Found: MP (Conservative, Basildon and Billericay ) Jon Cruddas MP (Labour, Dagenham and Rainham ) Geraint Davies

Found: January 2023 Members present Sir Robert Goodwill, in the Chair Steven Bonnar Ian Byrne Geraint Davies

Found: Tahir Ali MP (Labour, Birmingham, Hall Green) Jon Cruddas MP (Labour, Dagenham and Rainham) Geraint Davies

Found: Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Chair) Kirsty Blackman MP (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen North ) Geraint Davies

Found: Harrogate and Knaresborough) (Chair) Kirsty Blackman MP (Scottish National Party, Aberdeen North ) Geraint Davies

Found: Geraint Davies (Independent, Swansea West) (added 2 Mar 2020) 0 of 6 (0.0%) Ruth Jones (Labour

Found: Tahir Ali MP (Labour, Birmingham, Hall Green ) Jon Cruddas MP (Labour, Dagenham and Rainham ) Geraint Davies

Found: (0.0%) Jon Cruddas (Labour, Dagenham and Rainham) (added 2 Mar 2020) 4 of 5 (80.0%) Geraint Davies

Found: MP (Conservative, Basildon and Billericay ) Jon Cruddas MP (Labour, Dagenham and Rainham ) Geraint Davies

Found: South ) Virginia Crosbie MP (Conservative, Ynys Môn ) Wayne David MP (Labour, Caerphilly ) Geraint Davies

Found: Champion Layla Moran Sarah Green Sir Liam Fox Lia Nici Ms Marie Rimmer Craig Mackinlay Geraint Davies

Found: Champion Layla Moran Sarah Green Sir Liam Fox Lia Nici Ms Marie Rimmer Craig Mackinlay Geraint Davies

Found: Champion Layla Moran Sarah Green Sir Liam Fox Lia Nici Ms Marie Rimmer Craig Mackinlay Geraint Davies

Found: Champion Layla Moran Sarah Green Sir Liam Fox Lia Nici Ms Marie Rimmer Craig Mackinlay Geraint Davies

Found: Hobhouse Sarah Champion Layla Moran Sarah Green Sir Liam Fox Lia Nici Craig Mackinlay Geraint Davies

Found: 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 OG1005155 COAST TO COAST CARAVANS LIMITED 150 3 7 1 3 0 0 2 0 OG1010304 JAMES GERAINT DAVIES

Found: No money paid to me No 82 Fraz Mir PEAG Non- Personal NIL N/A N/A Geraint Davies IEAG Personal