3. Statement by the Minister for Climate Change: The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Bill

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:05 pm on 21 March 2023.

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Photo of Jane Dodds Jane Dodds Liberal Democrat 3:05, 21 March 2023

Good afternoon, Minister. Yes, I join with many people in welcoming this. It is long overdue, but it's great to have the start. We know that air pollution cuts people's lives short, makes people, including our children, unwell, and is a huge strain on our health service as well as harming the environment. Just two issues from me, if I may, Minister.

One is that you talked about deploying the tech, in response to Delyth's points. I just wondered if you could just say a little bit more about how that then translates into practice in terms of these new powers, because as Jenny Rathbone has said, we want to see the detail, really, of how it's actually going to be enacted. So, that's my first point.

The second is that this isn't a Bill just for urban areas, which I'm sure you would echo. In rural areas like Mid and West Wales, we have the same challenges. In Crickhowell, in Welshpool on the high street, we also need a concentration of monitoring as well that will help people in rural areas to see that their air quality is being taken seriously. So, I do hope that I hear a little bit more about that, but thank you very much for all of your work and the work of your team as well. Diolch yn fawr iawn.