Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with the Government on steps to ensure that information concerning levels of air pollution reaches children, parents and schools; and if he will make a statement.

The Department of Health and Social Care, including Public Health England (PHE), is fully engaged in discussions with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the development of the Government’s Clean Air Strategy at ministerial and official level. Communication of the best information and advice on air pollution to protect vulnerable groups, including children, will be an important part of the implementation of the Government’s Clean Air Strategy.

The Department, NHS England and PHE’s Health and Wellbeing Alliance are undertaking a feasibility study on behavioural insights, which aims to improve understanding of how people, particularly vulnerable populations, best receive communications during localised events of elevated air pollution. This includes children, parents and schools. Results are expected later this year. Currently, PHE disseminates Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs United Kingdom Air Information Resource’s tweets issued during significant high air pollution episodes through PHE’s social media account.