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MPs today launched a “super inquiry” into Britain’s toxic air scandal to force the Government to dramatically step up action to tackle the health threat to millions of people.

In an unprecedented move, four Commons committees are to grill ministers and air quality experts on the dangers from filthy air in London and other cities.

The hearings by the health committee, transport committee, environmental audit committee and environment, food and rural affairs committee will be held as the Government draws up its latest plans to deal with toxic air.

Labour MP Mary Creagh, who chairs the environmental audit committee, said: “Ministers will face unprecedented scrutiny in Parliament to ensure they finally step up to the mark to ensure adults, and children in particular, do not have their health damaged by filthy air.

“Four committees coming together for a joint highlights the degree of MPs’ concern at the Government’s slow pace in cleaning up Britain’s air.

“It’s time for action on a far bigger scale.”

London Pollution - In pictures 15 show all London Pollution - In pictures 1/15 PA 2/15 Sunrise: Pollution lingered over London on Tuesday morning Jeremy Selwyn 3/15 A cyclist wearing a face mask rides between taxis taking part in a protest to highlight congestion and air pollution Getty Images 4/15 A smog filled traffic rush hour in the East End of London Jeremy Selwyn 5/15 Pollution detector App 'Blue Air' near the Houses of Parliament Blue air 6/15 Thick smog hangs over London's Docklands PA 7/15 Traffic pollution in North London Jeremy Selwyn 8/15 Air pollution surrounds The Shard in London Jeremy Selwyn 9/15 Getty Images 10/15 Sunrise over a misty polluted London from Primrose Hill Jeremy Selwyn 11/15 St. Paul's Cathedral is seen among the skyline through the smog AFP via Getty Images 12/15 A thick layer of smog was visible above London William Smith/@williamsmithorg 13/15 A cold layer of air can be seen trapping pollution close to the ground and across the London skyline Pete Buckney 14/15 This image taken near the Royal Observatory in Greenwich shows a thick layer of fog hanging over London Anna Rolls 15/15 The City of London covered in smog seen from Hampstead Heath Getty Images 1/15 PA 2/15 Sunrise: Pollution lingered over London on Tuesday morning Jeremy Selwyn 3/15 A cyclist wearing a face mask rides between taxis taking part in a protest to highlight congestion and air pollution Getty Images 4/15 A smog filled traffic rush hour in the East End of London Jeremy Selwyn 5/15 Pollution detector App 'Blue Air' near the Houses of Parliament Blue air 6/15 Thick smog hangs over London's Docklands PA 7/15 Traffic pollution in North London Jeremy Selwyn 8/15 Air pollution surrounds The Shard in London Jeremy Selwyn 9/15 Getty Images 10/15 Sunrise over a misty polluted London from Primrose Hill Jeremy Selwyn 11/15 St. Paul's Cathedral is seen among the skyline through the smog AFP via Getty Images 12/15 A thick layer of smog was visible above London William Smith/@williamsmithorg 13/15 A cold layer of air can be seen trapping pollution close to the ground and across the London skyline Pete Buckney 14/15 This image taken near the Royal Observatory in Greenwich shows a thick layer of fog hanging over London Anna Rolls 15/15 The City of London covered in smog seen from Hampstead Heath Getty Images

Ministers have been forced to draw up new proposals to cut air pollution after judges backed environmental lawyers ClientEarth in two high-profile cases that the Government was failing to do enough to reduce nitrogen dioxide levels.

The draft new plans are due to be published on April 24 and the MPs want to ensure they not only meet legal requirements but also deliver maximum health and environmental benefits.

Dr Sarah Wollaston MP, the Conservative chairwoman of the health committee said: “Poor air quality is affecting the health of millions of people across the UK because of the impact of invisible particulates and other pollutants.

“Our joint inquiry will include an examination of the scale of the harm caused and the action necessary to tackle it.”

Scientists estimate that toxic air is to blame for a death toll of up to 9,400-a-year in London, with emissions from diesel vehicles significantly blamed for air pollution levels.

MPs are also concerned that a lack of cross-Whitehall working is hindering the battle against dirty air.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for air quality but has limited tools to improve it. Moves such as cracking down on diesel vehicles spewing out dirty fumes would need the agreement of the Treasury and the Department for Transport.

Neil Parish MP, Tory chairman of the DEFRA committee, stressed: “The solutions to cleaning up our air are not the responsibility of just one minister.

“That’s why we have taken the unprecedented task of convening four select committees so we can scrutinise the Government’s efforts from every angle and look for holistic solutions that are good for health, transport and the environment.”

Part of the inquiry will focus on the failure of EU regulations on emissions to reflect actual pollution from vehicles which is far higher in many cases than according to laboratory tests.

“The UK economy depends on an efficient and flexible transport system but emissions from vehicles are a significant problem and the standards that governments have relied on have not delivered the expected reductions,” said Louise Ellman, Labour chairwoman of the transport committee.

“We will be asking what more can be done to increase the use of cleaner vehicles as well as to encourage the use of sustainable modes of transport.”

The MPs will probe whether the Government’s latest blueprint will deliver “effective and proportionate” measure to cut emissions from transport.

The committees will hold four sessions to consider mounting scientific evidence on the health and environmental impacts of air pollution.