Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Answer of 24 May 2023 to Question 185749, what progress she has made on (a) increasing the evidence base, (b) supporting stakeholders and (c) improving awareness and understanding of indoor air quality in 2023.

The Department of Health and Social Care collaborates across Government to help ensure a joined-up approach on Government actions concerning indoor air quality. It has worked with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to design new consolidated guidance on damp and mould aimed at private and social rented landlords, including quantification of the respiratory burden of disease in England from exposure to damp and mould in housing. The guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/damp-and-mould-understanding-and-addressing-the-health-risks-for-rented-housing-providers

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) published the Health Effects of Climate Change report which provides evidence on the impact of climate change mitigation and adaptation policies on indoor environmental quality and health. UKHSA supports research and are co-funding and supervising PhD projects to develop evidence on the factors that affect personal exposure. The report is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/climate-change-health-effects-in-the-uk

The Department of Health and Social Care works closely with stakeholders and organisations to provide scientific input, using expert knowledge and experience on indoor air quality in relation to public health and to approve awareness.