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 reduce the level of air pollution in (a) the UK (b) London and (c) Lewisham West & Penge constituency.

Air pollution is reducing in the UK, as set out in the annual National Statistics report at the following URL:

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/air-quality-statistics

There are 170 national monitoring stations in the UK, of which 16 stations are in London and 1 in Lewisham West and Penge constituency. Near real-time measurements from these sites and further data tools can be found on the UK-AIR website (https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/).

In July 2017 we published the UK Plan for Tackling Roadside Nitrogen Dioxide Concentrations, setting out how we will achieve compliance in the shortest possible time, supported by a £3.5 billion investment in air quality and cleaner transport.

On 14 January 2019 we announced our world leading Clean Air Strategy. The Strategy focuses on the five most damaging air pollutants: ammonia, fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, non-methane volatile organic compounds, and includes new and ambitious goals, legislation, investment and policies which will help us to clean up our air faster and more effectively.

Measurements at stations in London on the national monitoring network show a general long-term reduction in air pollution. The London Boroughs also carry out local air quality monitoring as part of the Local Air Quality Management process and produce annual reports on the status of air quality within the Borough area. The Mayor is responsible for air quality in the capital and has reserve powers under Part IV of the Environment Act 1995 to reflect this. These powers enable the Mayor to take a broad range of actions, particularly in relation to transport.