Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential health impact of air pollution in Yeovil constituency on young residents.

It is well established that children can be more vulnerable to air pollution, which may affect their lungs and worsen conditions like asthma.

In March, the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants reviewed the latest evidence and advised that children with asthma should continue to be considered in the Daily Air Quality Index. A full list of its recommendations is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/advice-given-to-the-air-quality-information-system-aqis-review-steering-group

Local authorities have a duty to monitor and review air quality in their areas. Annual reports with details of the monitoring carried out, as well as actions that are being taken to improve air quality in the Somerset area, including Yeovil, are available at the following link:

https://www.somerset.gov.uk/environment-and-food-safety/air-quality-and-health/

The Environment Agency manages the United Kingdom's national monitoring sites on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.