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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with relevant stakeholders on (a) implementing a place-based, community-centred approach to air pollution and (b) using that approach to protect low income communities who may experience higher exposure to air pollutants.

The improvement of air quality remains a priority for the Government. We are taking a range of actions to reduce air pollution, including through the landmark Environment Act 2021.

In line with commitments in the Act, we are currently reviewing the National Air Quality Strategy and will be publishing a revised Strategy in 2023. We aim to develop a strong support and capability-building framework to ensure local authorities have the necessary tools to take local action and to clarify the available powers and levers. The revised Strategy will also support greater local action to identify and address air pollution inequalities and reduce the impacts on vulnerable groups and communities disproportionately impacted by air pollution. Engagement with a wide range of stakeholders will be undertaken in coming months.

Through the Environment Act we are improving the Local Air Quality Management Framework, for example by broadening the range of bodies required to collaborate with local authorities in developing local Air Quality Action Plans. We are developing revised Local Air Quality Management statutory guidance in which we propose to include more emphasis on community engagement to increase public awareness of air quality issues, and additional information to support the consideration of air quality inequalities in local Air Quality Action Plans. We are engaging with a range of stakeholders, and especially local government as we develop and implement policies and guidance to support local action on air quality.