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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the recommendations of The University of Manchester’s Building Utopia publication, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of increasing green spaces on air quality in (a) general and (b) the worst affected communities in urban areas.

Defra's evidence shows that well-designed green spaces including healthy, well-chosen, and well-placed trees in urban areas are known to have a large range of benefits for people and the economy. While vegetation can help filter and reduce some air pollution, it is also crucial to reduce emissions at their source. Furthermore, the design of urban vegetation architecture is important, to ensure it doesn’t contribute to poorer air quality in some locations.

Government will publish a revised National Air Quality Strategy in 2023 with a key focus on identifying and addressing air pollution inequalities, targeting action to support vulnerable groups and communities that are worst affected.