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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she is taking to ensure that the revised Large Combustion Plant Best Available Technique Reference Document standards are reflected in the Government's air quality plans.

The Government is firmly committed to improving the UK's air quality and cutting harmful emissions. This is one of the reasons why the UK has signed up to the National Emissions Ceiling Directive, which sets tougher legally binding ceilings for emissions of five major pollutants in 2020 and 2030. The Government is considering how all sectors of the UK economy, including industry, can contribute to these ambitious targets.

The UK remains a member of the EU until we leave, with full rights and obligations of membership. The Government is therefore participating as usual in the ongoing review process for the Large Combustion Plant Best Available Technique Reference Document (LCP BREF) to ensure that the standards placed on industry deliver benefits to human health and the environment balanced against the costs of implementation. Defra officials are currently examining the proposed LCP BREF ahead of the vote next month.

As the Prime Minister announced last year, our plans for the Great Repeal Bill will convert current EU law into domestic British law. Our intention is to ensure a smooth and orderly transition via the Great Repeal Bill and to provide as much certainty as possible by maintaining the existing laws. We will be providing further information on the Great Repeal Bill in due course.

The draft UK Air Quality Plan for tackling nitrogen dioxide will be published by 24 April.