Queen’s Speech puts air pollution, science and the NHS on the agenda – British Heart Foundation

We welcome the Government's inclusion of air quality, the NHS Long Term Plan and the funding of scientific research in today's Queen's Speech.

The Queens Speech sets out the Governments agenda for the coming session.

Today, it announced the Environment Bill, which will include a framework for tackling air pollution. It also stated the Governments continued support for implementing the NHSs Long Term Plan, which includes targets for preventing heart and circulatory diseases.

A funding boost for scientific researchand development was also included. The Government is aiming for 2.4 per cent of GDP to be spent on research and development.

In our response, weve outlined the bold action the Government must now take in these areas. This could help reduce the number of deaths from heart and circulatory diseases and their risk factors.

Simon Gillespie, Chief Executive of the British Heart Foundation, said: Every day, millions of children and adults in the UK breathe in harmful particles because of air pollution, increasing their risk of a future heart attack or stroke.

This public health emergency needs bold action, so we were pleased to see the Environment Bill included in the Queens Speech today.

"Any framework for setting legal limits must take into account the overwhelming evidence air pollutants have on our health, and be in line with guidance from the World Health Organisation by 2030. With an estimated 36,000 deaths caused by air pollution every year in the UK, the Government must act now.

It is also heartening to hear the Governments continued commitment to implementing the NHSs ten-year plan, which sets out to prevent 150,000 heart attacks, strokes and dementia cases in England over the next decade.

"Progress in reducing premature death rates from heart and circulatory diseases has stalled, so it is vital we improve the prevention and detection of these conditions and their risk factors to ensure death rates drop further in future.

As a funder of world-leading research, the show of support for the scientific community is welcome. Charities will play a vital role in helping the Government reach its aim of 2.4 per cent of GDP spent on research and development by 2027, and they must be supported.

"If the UK truly wants to be a scientific superpower, its crucial the country is still able to recruit the best scientific talent from across the world at all levels.

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Queen's Speech puts air pollution, science and the NHS on the agenda - British Heart Foundation