Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 1:34 pm on 15 June 2021.
I do find it somewhat amusing that John Griffiths, our colleague, speaks of early action on air pollution. As the First Minister and I know, he's already very late on this argument. In fact, in May 2019, he told the Senedd that this debate had been ongoing for a decade, and we all know that you, First Minister, have failed to deliver on your leadership promise, and I quote,
'to develop a new clean air Act'.
Now, whilst I appreciate that the responses to the White Paper consultation are currently being reviewed, it does remain the case that we may not see regulations set until spring 2024. So, I warn John Griffiths that positive action does seem set to be ever further delayed.
However, turning to you, First Minister, there is a short-term step that you can take. The £3.4 million revenue funding and £17 million capital funding, allocated for air quality action in 2021-22, represents a real-terms cut from the previous year. So, will you undo this cut and invest further in tackling the world's largest single environmental health risk? Diolch, Llywydd.