Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 16
16
Accepted
National Highways acknowledge that the accessibility of the government’s data on air quality is an...
Conclusion
National Highways acknowledge that the accessibility of the government’s data on air quality is an issue, and Defra told us that it is reviewing its social media and online offering over the next 18 months. It particularly highlighted the need to test the quality of its messaging for specific groups, such as older people and people from different ethnic minority communities.18 Modelling air quality
Government Response Summary
The government recognizes the need to effectively communicate air quality information to the public and launched a comprehensive Air Quality Information System (AQIS) Review to ensure members of the public have what they need; outcomes will be published on UK-AIR with a final report in early 2024, and the government aims to complete the web system review 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.