Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to reduce particulate pollution from urban traffic; and what assessment they have made (1) of the report by University College London and Harvard University et al Global mortality from outdoor fine particle pollution generated by fossil fuel combustion, published on 9 February, and (2) in particular the finding that exposure to fossil fuel air pollution accounts for 18 to 21.5 per cent of global deaths each year.

Our landmark Environment Bill introduces a duty to set a legally binding target for fine particulate matter, in addition to a further long-term air quality target. Achieving these targets will require action on a wide range of sources, including urban traffic and fossil fuel combustion. Specific measures will depend on what targets are set and ultimately the pathway and approach to achieving the targets. We will be carrying out a public consultation on proposed targets, which is likely to commence in early 2022.