The Scottish Government should set out a clear timetable for tackling air pollution, Labour has said.

The party is using its debating time at Holyrood to highlight the problem.

Labour members will call on the Government to work closely with local authorities to tackle air pollution, and ensure and that a planned national low-emissions strategy is “robust”.

Labour also wants the SNP administration to use national planning guidance and transport policy to ensure air quality targets are met.

The Government said there has been “excellent progress” in improving air quality but recognises that there is more to be done.

Speaking ahead of the debate, Labour’s environment spokeswoman Claire Baker said: “We are seven years into a SNP Government in Scotland and once again we are faced with dealing with environmental targets that they are continually missing.

“The 2013 air quality monitoring results highlight the lack of leadership there has been from the SNP in tackling consistent breaches of air quality safety standards.

“With the poor quality of air contributing to 1500 deaths annually in Scotland we need urgent action to ensure the air we breathe is safe.”

She added: “Scotland is currently failing to meet our own standards on nitrogen dioxide and small particles and coupled with that we have the European Commission taking the UK Government to court over their failure to tackle the issue.

“This is a serious problem that impacts on people from across Scotland. We must work together to address the current failures and Labour has called for today’s debate to begin that process.”

Earlier this year environmental charity Friends of the Earth said levels of air pollution in some parts of Scotland were missing EU and UK standards.

It used air monitoring data to identify the streets with the highest levels of nitrogen dioxide, fine particles, and particulate matter.

These forms of air pollution have been linked to health problems such as asthma and other respiratory conditions. Friends of the Earth Scotland said new research has also linked exposure to fine particles with heart attacks.

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The Scottish Government, working in partnership with Scotland’s 32 local authorities, continues to make progress in improving our air quality. Data shows that significant reductions in air pollutants have been achieved since 1990 and further decreases are predicted in the future, given our knowledge of the likely impacts of planned investment.

“Although there has been excellent progress, we recognise that there is more to be done to deliver further benefits for human and environmental health where areas of poorer air quality remain.

“We recognise that air pollution disproportionately affects the health of the most vulnerable members of society — the very young, the elderly and those with existing cardiovascular and respiratory conditions — and can have a very real impact on quality of life for these individuals.

“Our Low Emission Strategy, which is currently in development, will set out the contribution that reduced air pollution can make to delivering sustainable economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for communities across Scotland, with a focus on progress in Scottish towns and cities over the coming years.”

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