The mother of a schoolgirl killed from air pollution will receive an undisclosed settlement from the government in compensation for her daughter’s death.
Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a nine-year-old from south-east London, suffered a fatal asthma attack in February 2013 after being exposed to excessive air pollution.
In a landmark coroner’s case in 2020, Ella – who had lived 25 metres from the busy South Circular Road in Lewisham – became the first person to have air pollution listed as a cause of death at an inquest in the UK.
Her mother Rosamund has also received an apology from ministers.
A statement issued to Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah on behalf of the three departments said the Government was “truly sorry for your loss” and expressed sincere condolences to her, Ella’s siblings and everyone who knew her.
The statement from ministers of three departments acknowledged that “no child should suffer as Ella did” and said: “To lose a loved one at such a young age is an immeasurable loss.”
“The tireless work undertaken by Ella’s family and friends over the years, in particular by you, her mother, has shone a much-needed spotlight on the dangers posed by air pollution.
“Air pollution is a public health issue that this Government is committed to tackling,” the statement said, adding that Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah had helped to ensure the issue was firmly on the Government’s agenda.
Ella’s estate, over which Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah acts as administrator, sued the Environment Department (Defra), the Department for Transport and the Department for Health and Social Care, for compensation over Ella’s “illness and premature death”.
The three Government departments have settled the claim ahead of a High Court trial for an undisclosed sum.
As the letter was released, Ms Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, along with Ella’s siblings, met with environment minister Emma Hardy at the Defra offices in London.
The meeting is part of the settlement of a civil claim brought by law firm Hodge Jones & Allen of Ella’s estate against the three government departments for breaches of Ella’s rights under the Human Rights Act, including her right to life.
Up to 36,000 people across the UK die prematurely every year because of air pollution, figures suggest.
It is the largest environmental risk to public health, the Government has said.
But Labour’s manifesto failed to include a promise to pass a new Clean Air Act despite previous commitments.
