Commenting on the latest guidance to improve air quality from Public Health England and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson Kate Parminter said:

“The air we allow our children to breathe is toxic and it is leading to a national health crisis. Yet the Conservative government are sitting idly by allowing poisonous air to continue cutting lives short.

“Air pollution is one of the biggest threats facing the country. Theresa May needs to take action before thousands more lives are taken by this silent killer.

“The Liberal Democrats are committed to phasing out diesel vehicles and compensating drivers.  We want to see low-emission zones expanded across our inner cities. We need to give all our children a brighter future in a greener Britain, cleaning up our air will be a move in the right direction.”

Notes:

The Liberal Democrat manifesto included a commitment to pass a Green Transport Act, introduce an Air Quality Plan to reduce air pollution and protect UK citizens, and support the manufacture of low-emission and electric vehicles, generating jobs and exports.

This plan will include:

• A diesel scrappage scheme, and a ban on the sale of diesel cars and small vans in the UK by 2025.
• Extending ultra-low-emission zones to 10 more towns and cities.
• All private hire vehicles and diesel buses licensed to operate in urban areas to run on ultra-low-emission or zero-emission fuels within five years.

We will also reform vehicle taxation to encourage sales of electric and low emission vehicles and develop electric vehicle infrastructure including universal charging points.