Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Acknowledged
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence...
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on regulation after EU Exit.1
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation and explains that it launched a comprehensive Air Quality Information System (AQIS) Review to ensure the public and vulnerable groups have the information they need, with outcomes to be published on UK-AIR, and a final report in early 2024, with a web system review to be completed by March 2025.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 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. 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. 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. National Highways have engaged with local authorities and local MPs in areas where there are roads with no measures to bring forward compliance. The Joint Air Quality Unit is working with local authorities and National Highways to consider how best to ensure this information is made available via their established public engagement channels.