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17 Apr 2001
Shocking new figures released today by Friends of the Earth show Labour's heartland
constituencies are bearing the brunt of Britain's pollution problem [listed
below]. The news will embarrass the Labour Party in the run-up to an Election
in which the biggest threat to the Party's success could be apathy and disappointment
among its core voters.
Two-thirds of all cancer-causing chemicals released to our environment every
year come from factories in the ten percent of the most deprived communities
in England, FOE's research reveals. Almost all these areas are in Labour-held
constituencies [see table 2 and Annex 1 following].
FOE's study looked at official pollution data from the UK's biggest factories,
held by the Environment Agency, and at the Government's new Index of Multiple
Deprivation. FOE wants Labour to include in its manifesto a pledge to cut toxic
pollution by 80 per cent by 2005, with an ultimate aim to reduce it to zero.
The new research backs up earlier findings which showed that in 1996 there
were 662 large polluting factories in areas with average household incomes of
£15,000 a year and only 5 in areas with average income is £30,000
or more. In response to this earlier research John Prescott said in a Fabian
Society speech that “We should never lose sight of the fact that it
is the poor who suffer most from pollution". Yet the Labour Government
has failed to set a target to reduce this pollution.
FOE's Research also reveals that the North West is the most polluted region,
with almost 8,000 tonnes of cancer-causing chemicals released. London suffers
least from Factory Pollution with only 20 tonnes released (see Table 1).
Mike Childs, Campaigns Director at Friends of the Earth, said:
“People in the poorest parts of the country are being bombarded by cancer-causing
pollution. But the response from Government amounts to little more than a few
crocodile tears. These people vote Labour. Labour is letting them down. If there
is real concern in the Party about their core voters and England's most deprived
communities, then Labour's Manifesto should include a promise of drastic
cuts in pollution from Britain's biggest factories.”
The analysis of Welsh data does not show a similar correlation between carcinogen
pollution and poverty. Further research is needed here, but factors which may
be influencing the analysis include the large number of former coalfield areas
suffering multiple deprivation. An analysis in other parts of the UK is not
possible because in Northern Ireland the inventory of factory pollution data
is not yet complete and in Scotland there is no factory pollution inventory
at all.
Friends of the Earth is calling for:
A target to reduce factory pollution by 80 per cent by 2005.
Tony Blair's Social Exclusion Unit to include environmental justice as part of its work.
New statutory guidelines for regeneration strategies to lead to economic growth that also delivers improved health and a better quality environment.
The Government to revise the Index of Multiple Deprivation to include environmental deprivation and extend the Index to cover all parts of the UK.
A briefing (Pollution and Poverty) and further table are available from Friends of the Earth.
Government Office Region: tonnes
North West 7,820.0
North East 1,481.8
East Midlands 953.8
Yorkshire and Humberside 546.5
Wales 438.9
South East 316.9
Eastern 230.2
West Midlands 78.4
South West 31.5
London 20.6
Total: 11,919
Table 1: Total amounts of recognised carcinogens released to air, 1999
Derek Twigg, Halton (2 wards)
Andrew Miller, Ellesmere Port and Neston
Marjorie Mowlam, Redcar
Frank Cook, Stockton North
Beverley Hughes, Stretford and Urmston
GeorgeTurner, Norfolk North West
Jack Cunningham, Copeland
Margaret Beckett, Derby South
Denis MacShane, Rotherham
Adrian Bailey, West Bromwich West
Michael Foster, Hastings and Rye
Rosie Winterton, Doncaster Central
Clive Betts, Sheffield AttercliffeBruce George, Walsall South
Clare Short, Birmingham Ladywood
Brian Cotter, Weston-Super-Mare
Gerry Bermingham, St Helens South
Joe Ashton, Bassetlaw
Barry Sheerman, Huddersfield
Ronald Campbell, Blyth Valley
Graham Stringer, Manchester Blackley
Mark Hendrick, Preston
Dennis Turner, Wolverhampton South
David Lock, Wyre Forest
Peter Snape, West Bromwich East
David Winnick, Walsall North
Table 2: MPs and consitituencies in Annex 1
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
