Under the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023, two air quality regulations are set to be removed from the statute book against the advice of officials.
Ministers are being accused of downplaying the significance of the air quality standards and failing to properly communicate the potential consequences of their removal. Although the government have stated that revoking the regulations will "reduce administrative burden" and "remove duplication", the decision has sparked a debate regarding the possible repercussions for public health and the environment.
Some of the provisions of the National Emission Ceilings Regulations SI 2018/129 will be scrapped from the statute book under the REUL Act. While one of the provisions requires the Secretary of State to prepare a national air pollution control programme to regulate pollutants in line with national emission reduction commitments (NAPCP), the other orders the Secretary of State to consult the public before significantly modifying the NAPCP.
The move has received criticism from the government's Office for Environmental Protection (OEP) who believe revoking these regulations "weakens accountability and transparency" and without a feasible, alternative plan, leaves the potential for environmental protection to be weakened. The aim of the regulations was to enhance public health by curbing pollution and mitigating the adverse effects on respiratory and cardiovascular systems, so their removal has raised concerns regarding a potential surge in pollution levels.
