MP votes to improve UK’s air quality targets

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has voted in favour of increasing the UK's air quality targets to clean up the country's air and protect people's health.

The amendment would have pledged the UK to meet the World Health Organisation's air quality standards by 2030 at the latest.

However the move was voted down by the Government by 227 votes to 354.

Speaking during a debate in Parliament last night, Tim said: "On the air quality amendments, the targets in this Bill do not even meet those recommended by the World Health Organisation, as has been said by other Members.

"That should rightly alarm all of us, especially given that the UK has such a terrible track record in recent years.

"When we were a member of the EU, it fined us regularly for failing to meet the targets set at that point.

"Air quality standards are of the utmost importance, and for the Government to under aim and be under-ambitious here is deeply troubling."