Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what plans his Department has to promote public knowledge of air pollution levels across the UK.

Defra publishes extensive air quality information on its UK Air website (uk-air.defra.gov.uk) as well as disseminating up-to-date information through social media, emails and Freephone services. Information on this website includes daily air pollution forecasts and hourly monitoring data from national monitoring sites, alongside associated health advice. The website also holds research reports and a back catalogue of historical monitoring and modelling data made available as open data.

There is an effective cross-government system in place for giving health advice to the public during periods of high air pollution. Defra, Public Health England and the Met Office work closely together to issue up-to-date postcode-specific forecasts, bulletins and social media updates. We also work with health charities to make sure vulnerable people are aware of any periods of low air quality.

In addition, local authorities monitor air pollution and make this information available locally.