UK air pollution is a ‘national health emergency’, MPs warn
Report finds that air pollution causes 40,000 early deaths a year
The UK Government is failing to tackle illegal levels of pollution that cause some 40,000 premature deaths and cost the economy £20bn each year, according to a “highly damning” report published today.
The 49 cross-party MPs who participated in the inquiry warn that air pollution is a “national health emergency”, adding: “It is unacceptable that successive governments have failed to protect the public from poisonous air. A step change in Government policy is now needed to address this.”
This “unprecedented” joint inquiry by four parliamentary select committees found that the Government’s approach to reducing air pollution amounted to little more than “box-ticking”, The Independent reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The MPs are calling for measures to force carmakers to contribute to a clean air fund, and have criticised plans to ban the sale of conventional petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 as “lacking sufficient ambition”.
Paris has said it will ban both petrol and diesel cars by 2030, while Rome has outlined plans to stop diesel cars from entering the city centre by 2024.
The UK authorities have “consistently been called out” by judges throughout Britain and Europe, as well as the United Nations for “repeatedly breaking domestic and international law on acceptable pollution levels”, says Bloomberg.
Responding to the publication of the inquiry findings, a Downing Street spokesperson said that “ending the sale of conventional new diesel and petrol cars and vans from 2040, the UK is going further than almost every other European nation.
“We will carefully consider the joint committee’s report and respond in due course.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
Ottawa climate talks: can global plastic problem be solved?
In the spotlight Nations aim to draft world's first treaty on plastic pollution, but resistance from oil- and gas-producing countries could limit scope
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
EPA limits carcinogenic emissions at 218 US plants
Speed Read The new rule aims to reduce cancer-causing air pollution in areas like Louisiana's 'Cancer Alley'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The push for net zero
The Explainer Britain has committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. What will this involve?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Poor pollution regulation (still) impacts the lives of Gulf Coast residents
Under the Radar Many people in the region are experiencing health problems as a result of nearby refineries
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Could bacteria solve the world's plastic problem?
The Explainer Scientists are genetically engineering bacteria to break down plastic
By Devika Rao Published
-
The world’s most polluted cities
feature Ongoing wildfires in Canada brought historic levels of toxic air pollution to New York
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Microbes found in Alps can digest plastics at low temperatures
Speed Read Cold-weather microorganisms could offer more sustainable and cheaper way to combat pollution
By Harriet Marsden Published
-
What are ‘forever chemicals’ and how are they harmful?
feature The widely used pollutants have been linked to thyroid disease and cancers
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published