Clean air bill to be reintroduced by Green MP Siân Berry

Photograph Jacek Dylag, Unsplash

“Everyone has a right to breathe clean air”

The Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill, known as Ella’s Law, is to be reintroduced to the House of Commons on Tuesday 1 July.

Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah

Nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah from London was the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death. She died in 2013 after suffering an asthma attack.

Her mother Rosamund has campaigned ever since to enshrine the right to clean air in law.

The bill was originally introduced to Parliament by the Green Party peer Baroness Jenny Jones in June 2018. After clearing the House of Lords with strong cross-party support, it was introduced to the House of Commons by Green Party MP Caroline Lucas in 2024 before it was timed out by the last election.

It was recently introduced again in the Lords by Jenny Jones, where it was passed with all party support, and MPs from the Labour, Liberal Democrat, Plaid Cymru and Conservative parties have pledged to support Green MP Siân Berry when she reintroduces it to the Commons.

Baroness Jenny Jones with Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah CBE  launching the Clean Air Bill; The Ella Roberta Foundation

“There is no more time to waste”

Rosamund Adoo Kissi-Debrah CBE said:

“I am delighted Siân and the cross-section of MPs are taking forward Ella’s Law in parliament. Tackling air pollution should not be a partisan issue, it affects us all, in every constituency in the country. I believe that everyone has a right to breathe clean air, no matter where they live, the colour of their skin or their socio-economic background.

“We know that air pollution affects most people in this country, but the harshest effects are felt by poorer and marginalised communities. I hope this Labour Government will therefore take forward this Bill to protect all children and adults from the devastating effects of breathing toxic air.

“There is no more time to waste. We all have a human right to health and saving lives must always be the Government’s top priority”.

The Clean Air (Human Rights) Bill would obligate the Government to meet WHO air pollution guidelines by 1st January 2030 and set up a commission to oversee government actions and progress.

Siân Berry MP

Siân Berry said:

“Clean air is a human right, and it is time the law recognised this. Deaths like Ella’s, and the millions of lives blighted by preventable diseases caused by air pollution, can be a thing of the past if Governments start taking the right action now.

“Rosamund’s campaign is gaining momentum and communities across the country are raising air pollution as a key problem in their local area, so it is great to have representatives from all parties joining together to press for a legal right to breathe clean air.

“Passing Ella’s Law will save lives, as it will make sure we get new targets, and the funding for local areas to achieve them by cutting down on the many causes of toxic pollution, from road traffic to wood burning.

“I look forward to presenting the Bill in Parliament and I hope to work with more and more MPs joining together to pass Ella’s Law and protect generations to come”.

Air pollution is a major threat to health including asthma, heart disease, stroke and cancer.

Airspace; Jon Perry

Around 30,000 UK deaths per year estimated to be attributable to air pollution

A recent report by the Royal College of Physicians highlighted new evidence gained over the last decade showing that there are now links between air pollution and almost every organ in the body and the diseases that affect them.

According to the report, around 30,000 deaths per year in the UK are estimated to be attributable to air pollution, with an economic cost of £27 billion in the UK due to healthcare costs, productivity losses and reduced quality of life. When wider impacts such as dementia are accounted for, the economic cost may be as high as £50bn.

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Mayor’s office issues high pollution alert for London because of the heat

The Mayor of London has issued a high pollution alert today as sunny and hot weather with temperatures above 30C are forecast, which is expected to create ‘High’ ozone levels as the strong and prolonged heat and sunshine reacts with any present pollution.

Imperial College London forecasters advised City Hall to issue the alert, with air flow from mainland Europe expected to bring in additional pollutants from urban and industrial sources.

The Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy, Mete Coban said:

“We are urging Londoners to look after themselves in this pollution alert during the hot weather, stop their engines idling, and refrain from burning wood or garden waste – all of which contribute to high levels of pollution.

“This is particularly important in order to protect those who are most vulnerable as we continue working to build a safer and greener London for all.”

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