Barry Gardiner claims could lead to increased levels of air pollution
Brent MP has launched a campaign to fight government proposals to axe air quality monitoring by local councils.
Barry Gardiner, Labour MP for Brent North, claims the plans could lead to increased levels of air pollution around the country.
The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have launched a consultation for the proposals which would remove the requirement of town halls to report or declare local air quality figures.
Mr Gardiner said: “Air pollution causes 29,000 early deaths each year in the UK, more than obesity and alcohol combined and the government faces million pound fines for failing to improve our air quality.
Instead of sorting it out, Ministers want to stop anyone knowing how bad the pollution is, and remove the duty on councils to assess and report the data.”
DEFRA said it is more important that local authorities focus on what is needed to achieve EU limits for air quality than concentrate on local assessment and reporting.
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