Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 14
14
Accepted
The UK Air website is government’s main source of communication on air quality, but it...
Recommendation
The UK Air website is government’s main source of communication on air quality, but it is fairly impenetrable to the general public.11 While the website provides a high- level air pollution forecast, and allows users to download air quality datasets, it does not clearly present information on the legal limits for each pollutant, actions taken to date by the UK government and the progress being made, to put the air quality data it gives in context. The annual Air Pollution in the UK report only gives a breakdown of air quality information by the zones that are used for reporting compliance with legal limits on a national basis, which is not informative to local residents.12
Government Response Summary
The government agrees to improve communication of air quality information to the public through a comprehensive Air Quality Information System (AQIS) Review, with outcomes published on UK-AIR and a final report in early 2024, and a major overhaul of the UK-Air website by March 2025.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 28 Target implementation date: March 2025 1.2 The government recognises that more can be done to ensure that air quality information is effectively communicated to the public. That is why in December 2021 the government launched a comprehensive Air Quality Information System (AQIS) Review to ensure members of the public, and vulnerable groups, have what they need to protect themselves and understand their impact on air quality. 1.3 The review aims to provide clear, actionable recommendations on the changes that need to be made to the present system to better meet the diverse needs of users. This includes how pollution forecasts and alerts are delivered, how advice to vulnerable groups is enhanced, and improving access to local information. No one solution will meet the needs of all groups, and the department will need to properly assess all their needs and consider the solutions required to meet them. 1.4 Outcomes from the review will be published on UK-AIR, with a final report in early 2024. Alongside this review a major overhaul of the UK-Air website and other Air Quality Web services is underway. This will deliver a simplified holistic service for all users. The government’s aim is to complete the whole web system review and have a clear vision for future web service provision by March 2025, with improvements being made in the interim.