COMMENT

Mother of Ella Roberta

THIS new research will be truly shocking to the general public as it highlights that although the authorities keep telling the public they are dealing with this matter, the facts give an altogether different picture.

This backs up criticism of the Government’s recent “New Clean Air Strategy”, which is far too vague and toothless.

The air pollution crisis needs real leadership and proper robust strategies to clean up the toxic air. This needs to be now, not in 21 years time, the year the Government intends to phase out diesel cars.

But I am not surprised by these findings because of the inaction of local authorities and central Government.

Almost 40 of the most polluted local councils are meant to have handed in Clean Air Plans to the Environment Minister. How many have done so? What has her office done about those that have not?

Now we have discovered that air pollution was one of Ella Roberta’s main triggers, the fact is her going to her hospital or her GP surgery was in fact making her condition worse.

In London 10-15 per cent of people under 19 have an asthma diagnosis. That is around 210,000 children or three or four in every class.

Children’s health is being seriously compromised.