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National Air Pollution Control Programme

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is developing and implementing a revised National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) to meet 2030 air quality targets and emissions ceilings for ammonia and other pollutants. The programme addresses fragmented cross-government coordination, transparency of spending, and risks of traffic displacement from strategic roads to local roads, with significant concerns about whether existing measures will achieve statutory targets. The revised programme is currently in active development following National Audit Office scrutiny.

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Family: Scrutiny and evidence
12 Mar 2025 | Committee report linked

In 2020 the Department announced the rapid charging fund, intended to future proof electricity capacity on the strategic road network in the longer term, by part–funding the capital costs of upgraded grid connections. However, nearly five years after its announcement, the Department has yet to issue any of its £950 million of funding.29 ChargeUK, which represents many of the companies installing charge points, stated that several months have passed with limited updates, creating unhelpful unc...

In 2020 the Department announced the rapid charging fund, intended to future proof electricity capacity on the strategic road network in the longer term, by part–funding the capital costs of upgraded grid connections. However, nearly five years after its announcement, …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

Although calculating an exact figure may be difficult, with Departments claiming it would be a great deal of effort to produce something not necessarily precise, Government could do more to improve the transparency of cross-government public spending that has an impact on air pollution. While Defra tracks spend on its own air quality initiatives, it could not provide the National Audit Office with a breakdown of spend across all the cross-government initiatives it expects to contribute to air...

Although calculating an exact figure may be difficult, with Departments claiming it would be a great deal of effort to produce something not necessarily precise, Government could do more to improve the transparency of cross-government public spending that has an …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

Government is not yet taking a sufficiently integrated approach to tackling the problem of poor air quality. Measures to tackle air pollution on the strategic road network risk displacing heavy vehicle traffic onto local roads. Although government is aware of this risk, we are not clear what specific actions are being taken to work with local authorities to manage this risk, and National Highways has not published criteria that set out the point at which this possibility renders a particular ...

Government is not yet taking a sufficiently integrated approach to tackling the problem of poor air quality. Measures to tackle air pollution on the strategic road network risk displacing heavy vehicle traffic onto local roads. Although government is aware of …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

There is a lot resting on the updated plan that government expects to publish if 2030 air quality targets are to be met. The UK may have missed its target for national ammonia emissions in 2020, and existing policy measures will not be sufficient to achieve the 2030 emissions ceilings set for the UK for a further three pollutants. At the time we took evidence Government planned to publish in September 2022 an update to the National Air Pollution Control Programme, and this must be robust and ...

There is a lot resting on the updated plan that government expects to publish if 2030 air quality targets are to be met. The UK may have missed its target for national ammonia emissions in 2020, and existing policy measures …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Department for Transport, and National Highways on their work to tackle poor air quality in England.1 Our report covers both the Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Programme (the Programme) and work to address other air pollutants.

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, the Department for Transport, and National Highways on their work to tackle poor air quality in …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

The Department for Transport considers that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was a significant factor in delays seen by the Programme.8 The National Audit Office reported that although there was a clear impact from the pandemic, government did not have summary data on the extent to which other factors have also contributed, and highlighted that two local authorities have publicly attributed delays in their implementation of Clean Air Zones to the delivery of the central Clean Air Service.9...

The Department for Transport considers that the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was a significant factor in delays seen by the Programme.8 The National Audit Office reported that although there was a clear impact from the pandemic, government did not …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

Defra and DfT wrote to us to provide a breakdown of funding through the Joint Air Quality Unit and the Air Quality & Industrial Emissions programme. They also provided a summary of cross-government initiatives that affect air quality; these include work by Defra and DfT, as well as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the Department of Health and Social Care. They explained that while Defra attempts to antic...

Defra and DfT wrote to us to provide a breakdown of funding through the Joint Air Quality Unit and the Air Quality & Industrial Emissions programme. They also provided a summary of cross-government initiatives that affect air quality; these include …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

In addition to working with local authorities, the Department for Transport and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs needs to ensure it is working with other sectors with either an interest in, or an influence on, air quality, such as the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.53 Clean Air in London also highlighted to us the need to view the Government’s plans, spending and action, or lack thereof, ...

In addition to working with local authorities, the Department for Transport and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs needs to ensure it is working with other sectors with either an interest in, or an influence on, air quality, …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

Existing policy measures will not be sufficient to achieve most of the 2030 emissions ceilings (Figure 1). Defra told us that Government will soon publish a draft national air pollution control plan to set out policies and measures designed to bring the UK into compliance for 2030. It told us that these plans will build on existing programmes of continuous improvement, such as environmental permitting and work with industry around industrial emissions. Defra told us that building on these exi...

Existing policy measures will not be sufficient to achieve most of the 2030 emissions ceilings (Figure 1). Defra told us that Government will soon publish a draft national air pollution control plan to set out policies and measures designed to …

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26 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

The ex3p Seormei seounrcecs oef t hoesef p otlluhtanets aNre exOclud2ed frpomr thoe tgotarl eamimssionms for ethe psuurpogsesg ofe asssetsssin gt chompaliatn cep waith sEmti sstioinsm Ceielingtsa. Fobr elxeamspl e,f or addressing most agricultural emissions are excluded from the targets for nitrogen oxides and for non-methane volatile organic compounds, and aircraft emissions issues of poobrey oand ithre laqndiung aandl tiatkey-of f hcycale varee ex cbludeede fonr all . Soeev thee Nra-tioonap...

The ex3p Seormei seounrcecs oef t hoesef p otlluhtanets aNre exOclud2ed frpomr thoe tgotarl eamimssionms for ethe psuurpogsesg ofe asssetsssin gt chompaliatn cep waith sEmti sstioinsm Ceielingtsa. Fobr elxeamspl e,f or addressing most agricultural emissions are excluded from the targets …

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21 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

HMPPS’s innovative use of technology in its expansion projects has yielded some encouraging early results. HMPPS has achieved some initial positive results from using new technology in its alcohol monitoring scheme and acquisitive crime Transforming electronic monitoring services 7 project. For example, offenders have had high short-term sobriety rates while being tagged, although HMPPS did not explain how it will be able to monitor longer- term abstinence or whether the scheme reduces alcoho...

HMPPS’s innovative use of technology in its expansion projects has yielded some encouraging early results. HMPPS has achieved some initial positive results from using new technology in its alcohol monitoring scheme and acquisitive crime Transforming electronic monitoring services 7 project. …

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21 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

HMPPS’s poor track record in its transformation programme does not inspire confidence that it will be well-equipped to handle risks in its £1.2 billion expansion programme. HMPPS is re-procuring contracts to run the electronic monitoring service. It is attempting to apply lessons and reduce delivery risks, for example by using off-the-shelf systems and limiting the number of suppliers in the new model. However, there are inherent delivery risks to reprocuring a changing service where the numb...

HMPPS’s poor track record in its transformation programme does not inspire confidence that it will be well-equipped to handle risks in its £1.2 billion expansion programme. HMPPS is re-procuring contracts to run the electronic monitoring service. It is attempting to …

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21 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry) and HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) on HMPPS’s electronic monitoring (‘tagging’) transformation programme.1

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Ministry of Justice (the Ministry) and HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) on HMPPS’s electronic monitoring (‘tagging’) transformation programme.1 Type: conclusion | Number: …

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12 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

Regulatory divergence between the UK and the EU and within the UK internal market risks increasing costs for businesses, but also offers opportunities depending on the approach taken. Following EU Exit there is already some divergence in regulatory approach between the UK and EU. For example, the EU recently banned titanium dioxide as a food additive, while the UK has not introduced a ban and FSA is carrying out its own risk assessment. There will also be divergence because regulatory decisio...

Regulatory divergence between the UK and the EU and within the UK internal market risks increasing costs for businesses, but also offers opportunities depending on the approach taken. Following EU Exit there is already some divergence in regulatory approach between …

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12 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

It will be vital for regulators to continue to develop their engagement on the world stage. Outside the European Union, the regulators have taken steps to increase their international influence and engagement, recognising the importance of sharing good practice, increasing cooperation in the global marketplace, and working to improve standards worldwide. For example, CMA has both continued its engagement with the International Competition Network and the International Consumer Protection and ...

It will be vital for regulators to continue to develop their engagement on the world stage. Outside the European Union, the regulators have taken steps to increase their international influence and engagement, recognising the importance of sharing good practice, increasing …

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12 Oct 2022 | Committee report linked

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on regulation after EU Exit.1

On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on regulation after EU Exit.1 Type: …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked

Highways authorities at the national and local level must place a greater priority on preventing pollution from the strategic road network and from major roads maintained by local authorities in England. Solutions are available. These need to be rolled out as rapidly as possible.

Highways authorities at the national and local level must place a greater priority on preventing pollution from the strategic road network and from major roads maintained by local authorities in England. Solutions are available. These need to be rolled out …

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13 Jan 2022 | Committee report linked

We recommend that National Highways devote a greater proportion of its environmental budget to the mitigation of outfalls and set a target of eliminating pollution from those outfalls most at risk by 2030, in line with the Government’s commitments to halt species decline. It should set out, by the end of 2022, a timetable for eliminating the risks from the outfalls and soakaways it manages.

We recommend that National Highways devote a greater proportion of its environmental budget to the mitigation of outfalls and set a target of eliminating pollution from those outfalls most at risk by 2030, in line with the Government’s commitments to …

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