4th Report - Air quality
- HC No.
- HC 479
- Published
- 27 Apr 2016
- Items
- 0
- Government response
- Government response published 13 September 2016. Read the government's response ↗
Select committee: Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Defra's responsibilities for air quality inquiry
Closed
Opened 16 Sep 2015
Closed 27 Apr 2016
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
Urgent Government action is needed to stop up to 50,000 people a year dying early from air pollution-related illnesses, says the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, in its report on Air quality. Terms of reference: Defra's responsibilities for air quality
Where it stands
The inquiry is closed, opened 16 September 2015.
The committee has published 1 report, most recently 4th Report - Air quality on 27 April 2016.
The government's response
Published 13 September 2016.
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government sets out its air quality position as centred on its national nitrogen dioxide plan and Clean Air Zones, agreeing with some recommendations and declining a diesel scrappage scheme.
- On cost-benefit tools, it states: "We agree with the Committee's recommendation that practical tools are needed for policy makers to assess costs and benefits", and says tools are already available through Defra guidance and the HM Treasury Green Book.
- On Clean Air Zones, it says there will be "no 'one size fits all' approach" and local authorities will lead, but commits to consult "later this year" on a Framework setting principles to be consistent from city to city.
- On a diesel scrappage scheme, it has concluded this "may not be an appropriate and proportionate response", because air quality exceedances are often localised, and says Clean Air Zones are "a more targeted and proportionate approach".
- On assessing real driving emissions testing, it says the biggest improvement is expected in 2019 and it would be "more appropriate to assess the impact of RDE on UK air quality in 2020"; it will update its modelling and, "if necessary", its plan if COPERT factors are significantly revised.
Reports
- 4th Report - Air quality27 April 2016
Evidence
- 4 oral evidence sessionsLatest 3 February 2016
Recent activity
- 3rd Special Report - Air quality: Government response to the Committee's Fourth Report of Session 2015-1613 September 2016, Report published
- 4th Report - Air quality27 April 2016, Report published
- Oral evidence session3 February 2016, Oral evidence
Reports
Oral evidence sessions
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