Ruskell calls for clarity over air pollution action plans
The First Minister was told by a Green MSP at FMQ’s today that her government is failing to get to get a handle on dangerous air pollution levels across Scotland.
Scottish Green MSP Mark Ruskell today used First Minister's Questions to highlight the High Court of Justice decision to order the UK government to publish its air pollution strategy, and asked the First Minister what this means for Scotland.
Ruskell, the Scottish Greens’ environment spokesperson, previously challenged Scottish ministers over a lack of action on air pollution from traffic, with the number of pollution zones in Scotland where safety standards are regularly broken having risen to 38 by January 2017 - five more than last year.
Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, Mark Ruskell said:
“The Scottish Government and the cabinet secretary are clearly not on top of this. At least the London Mayor’s office turned up at the original court hearing to defend its record, but where was the Scottish Government?
“I’m not prepared to put my family at risk on Scotland’s polluted streets, this is a public health crisis, 2,000 people die every year and not just in the First Minister’s city of Glasgow, but across Scotland from Perth to Aberdeen.
“The UK government’s plans were slated by the High Court, relying on dodgy emissions data from car companies while putting off action to save lives today. The Scottish Government has made the same errors and is captured by the same ruling.
“The First Minister has to step out of the shadow of the Toxic Tory plans and urgently review Scotland’s clean air strategy, including funding more than just a solitary Low Emission Zone.”