Over recent years, the rhetoric around tackling air pollution has been toxic. Political battles, often fuelled by mis-and-disinformation, have not only been fought across traditional political divides, but also within movements – including the labour movement.
But while those battles have been fought, the issue of air pollution hasn’t gone anywhere. Still, tens of thousands die every year as a result, along with countless others reeling from its impacts on their health – from asthma and lung disease to cancer and stroke. The people paying the highest price are often those who contribute to the problem the least – the poorest and most vulnerable, disproportionately coming from black and ethnic minority communities. Meanwhile, the cost to our NHS and social care services, as well as economic productivity runs into the billions of pounds.
Put simply, air pollution is not an issue that can be ignored. It’s the biggest environmental health crisis we face, and it demands, and deserves, political leadership.
At LCEF, we’re clear that fighting for clean air is a bread-and-butter issue for the labour movement. Our recent essay collection, ‘Clearing the Air’ and its recent launch in the House of Lords, brought together leading voices across the labour and clean air movements, highlighting not only why air pollution is an important issue, but how it deeply connects to the core issues and values we care about most.
Whether that’s putting health and equity at the heart of the nation like the Labour Party did over 75 years ago with the founding of the NHS. Whether that’s prioritising social justice, tackling the systemic issues that stymy opportunity and prosperity as well as entrench existing divides. Whether that’s protecting workers’ rights, ensuring workplaces are safe and employers protect the health of their workers. These are not only labour issues, but clean air issues too.
Improving indoor air quality isn’t just about climate targets or energy savings - it’s about fairness and ensuring everyone has a home that supports their wellbeing, wherever they live.
Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP
‘Clearing the Air’ also highlights that Labour’s programme for government gives an opportunity for a fresh impetus to tackle the air pollution challenge and how clean air should be put at the heart of the government’s decade of renewal.
There are real signs of positivity. Labour’s new 10 Year Health Plan confirms the pivot in approach towards prevention rather than just treatment and includes clean air a core pillar to this approach which is really encouraging and long overdue.
Elsewhere, the government has committed billions of pounds in investment for more and better local public transport and active travel infrastructure, as well as support for the electric vehicle transition, which will help to revolutionise and clean up the way we travel in and around our local communities and beyond. Recently, in a signal of how central and devolved governments can drive positive policy change and delivery, the Department for Transport and Combined Authorities announced a new national active travel network to provide thousands of miles of safe cycle and walking routes with an initial focus on safe routes to school for children.
Perhaps, instead of a conduit for increasing levels of private motor vehicles, we could create streets where neighbours have space to meet, where children can play, where walking and wheeling are safe, and where all communities have access to clean air.
Catherine Kenyon
Meanwhile, the government’s Warm Homes Plan and plans for new standards for rented homes on housing hazards can help with the issue of indoor air pollution caused by cold, leaky, inefficient and damp homes – an issue particularly acute in rural areas as one of our essay contributors, Jenny Riddell-Carpenter MP, highlighted at our launch.
While more clearly needs to be done, these are clearly positive developments which will help to improve the health of millions in this country.
As ‘Clearing the Air’ demonstrates, there is a compelling case for leadership from the labour movement on this issue. This doesn’t just mean strengthening air quality targets - although this is absolutely needed. It also doesn’t just mean leaving it for local authorities and Mayors to carry the can – despite the stellar and brave leadership many have been showing on this issue. It means embedding clean air as a core part of what the government is delivering through its Plan for Change and how it looks to demonstrate to the public the improvements this government can bring to their lives and communities.
It's time to put the political battles to bed, clear the air and get on with delivering clean air across the country – for a healthier, more prosperous and productive nation.