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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps are being taken to lower the level of air pollution in the area of Oxford Street in London.

The Mayor of London is responsible for air quality standards in London. He has set up a Low Emission Zone and has announced the introduction of an Ultra-Low Emission Zone Scheme to ensure that all vehicles driving in the centre of London will be zero or low emission by 2020. A plan to deliver cleaner taxis across London has also been announced to help support London taxi driver’s transition to zero emission capable taxis. Defra’s air quality grant scheme has awarded funding to support the Mayor’s Breathe Better Together public awareness campaign to encourage behaviour change and tackle air pollution. Defra awarded a separate grant to Westminster City Council for on-street electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The Government is currently consulting on plans for how towns and cities can reduce emissions, alongside a national framework that seeks to bring the UK into compliance with limits for nitrogen dioxide in a number of areas by 2020 and in London by 2025.