Rochdale MP, Tony Lloyd, backing proposals which would establish in law the right to breathe clean air.

Tony said, “64,000 people in Britain are dying prematurely from dirty air. Many others will be suffering from other illnesses such as lung cancer and heart disease and even those with allergies will be effected.

“All this can be avoided and the Clean Air Bill will help towards that by ensuring the human right to breathe clean air is put in place, and in turn, prevent deaths and health complications whilst protecting the environment and mitigating climate change.

“Exposure to road air pollution caused by idling vehicles in drive-throughs in fast food outlets also needs to be looked at. Recent research has shown levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter were peaking at many times the UK legal air quality limits for emissions within the drive-throughs.

“This doesn’t just effect road users but also employees and local residents. The government must prioritise enforcement of the law and the fast-food industry to come up with solutions to reduce this exposure. There can be no time to waste.”

The Clean Air Bill is also named “Ella’s Law”, named after nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah who was named as the first person in the UK to have air pollution listed as a cause of death following an asthma attack. Tony joins several cross-party MPs in adding his name in support to the Ten Minute Rule Bill. The Bill will be read a second time on Friday the 24th of March. Tony also joins 9 cross-party MPs in signing a Parliamentary motion urging for action now on high levels of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter drive-through road side pollution.

—Ends—

Notes for editors:-

• The full text of the Clean Air: Ten Minute Rule Motion is as follows:

“That leave be given to bring in a Bill to establish the right to breathe clean air; to make provision for the purpose of reducing indoor and outdoor air pollution, including greenhouse gases; to set minimum standards for air quality in workplaces, homes and public spaces; to require the monitoring of air quality; to require the Secretary of State to publish a strategy for reducing air pollution, including setting targets and measures for air quality, and to report to Parliament annually on the implementation of that strategy; to give powers to the Office for Environmental Protection to enforce legislation relating to air quality and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; to make provision for the purpose of reducing pollution from vehicles; to place a duty on the Secretary of State to encourage and facilitate forms of active travel and to publish a strategy for reducing emissions from transport; to require the Secretary of State to promote public awareness of the impact of air pollution on public health; to place restrictions on the use of wood-burning stoves in urban areas; and for connected purposes.”

• The full text of the Parliamentary motion and a list of signatories can be found here: https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/60533