Has any consideration been given to how to communicate the need for drastic action, e.g. for people to stop driving, when air pollution reaches dangerously high levels on a Sunday?

The recent Met Office alert in London highlighted the need for consistency across alert systems. Current public messaging does not strike the right balance between providing health guidance to those most vulnerable to pollution and encouraging all Londoners to adapt their behaviours to reduce pollution.

It is vital that we get our messaging correct and I am currently reviewing it to ensure it is effective and fair. This work needs to be coordinated with Defra and the Met Office because they are responsible for the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI), which sets out the pollution banding and health advice used within our messaging. This is why I made this a central theme, with strong support from all attendees, at my recent Clean Air and Health Summit on 17 February.

In addition, I will continue to deliver overarching messaging on emissions as air quality should be addressed consistently and not just during high pollution episodes.