School pupils attend Unicef UK Parliamentary event to call on MPs to end dangerous levels of toxic air
12 March 2019– Today, Unicef UK and Andrew Selous MP, hosted an event in Parliament to formally open an exhibition which showcases the work of children and young people who have taken part in Unicef UK’s schools-based campaign to raise awareness of dangerous and illegal levels of toxic air.
As part of the OutRight campaign, which empowers children to speak out in support of the rights of all young people, children created over 4,000 postcards calling for clean air. A sample of the postcards and messages, which are addressed to Environment Secretary Michael Gove feature in the exhibition.
Unicef UK was joined by Holywell Primary School and pupils spoke of the dangers of toxic air on their health and the importance of significantly reducing toxic levels of air pollution. They called on their local MPs to ask Michael Gove MP to take urgent action to protect children’s health.
The event was attended by Unicef UK Supporter Cel Spellman, Andrew Selous MP and other parliamentarians.
Ivana (11), a pupil at Holywell School said: “When we go to the park or playground and as we walk to school, many children are breathing in toxic air that could damage their health and future. Air pollution threatens the ability of children like us to enjoy our rights.”
Sophie Gallois, Deputy Executive Director at Unicef UK, said: “It is fantastic that children have had the opportunity to raise the issue of toxic air with their MPs and showcase some of the brilliant work they have done to raise awareness of air pollution.
“Under the Government’s current plans, air pollution in the UK is expected to remain at dangerous levels for at least another 10 years. This leaves millions of children breathing harmful levels of toxic air that could damage their health and impact their future for the next decade.
“Unicef UK call is calling on parliamentarians to act and ensure legally-binding targets to reduce air pollution to acceptable levels, a national strategy that prioritises action for children, and ring-fenced funding to protect children’s health.”
Cel Spellman, Unicef UK Supporter said: “It is incredibly concerning that one third of the UK’s children are breathing toxic air.
It was really inspiring to hear how passionately the pupils from Holywell Primary School spoke about air pollution and brilliant to see the exhibition which represents the beliefs of so many young people up and down the UK.
“However, this is not just a London issue. In Manchester, my hometown, more than three in every four children live in areas with illegal levels of toxic air, costing the region £1 billion a year.
“I would urge all Parliamentarians to pay attention and listen to the young people who spoke today and act to ensure that every child can breathe clean air.”
Notes to editors
- OutRight empowers children and young people to realise their own rights, and to speak out in support of the rights of all children. This year, OutRight is focusing on air pollution and protecting children’s right to health and a safe, clean environment
- Holywell School is one of more than 4,500 Unicef UK Rights Respecting Schools across the UK that embed children’s rights in their ethos and culture.
For more information, please contact:
Unicef UK Media Team, 0207 375 6030, [email protected]
Emily Craigie, 0207 375 6058, [email protected]
About Unicef
Unicef is the world’s leading organisation for children, promoting the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere.
Unicef UK raises funds to protect children in danger, transform their lives and build a safer world for tomorrow’s children. As a registered charity we raise funds through donations from individuals, organisations and companies and we lobby and campaign to keep children safe. Unicef UK also runs programmes in schools, hospitals and with local authorities in the UK.
For more information please visit unicef.org.uk