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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what change there has been in air quality in each UK city with a population in excess of 300,000 from 1994 to 2014.

Data is not readily available by city in the format requested. Defra publishes an annual report series, “Air Pollution in the UK”, that details assessments made of pollutants against EU directives and UK legislation. The UK is split into 43 areas comprising 15 non-agglomeration zones (regions) and 28 agglomeration zones (urban areas). Agglomeration zones correspond to urban centres above a population of 250,000.

The latest “Air Pollution in the UK report: 2013” is available to view at: http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/library/annualreport/viewonline?year=2013_issue_1

Long term trends of emissions and measured values are presented. Tables are also presented showing the compliance status of each zone for each pollutant as well as the total number of zones in and out of compliance for each pollutant.