Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department is committed to delivering clean air zones as set out in the Government’s Air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in UK (2017).
Answered by Jo Churchill
The Prime Minister referred specifically to the case of Greater Manchester, where the Government has stepped in to delay implementation of the proposed Clean Air Zone given concerns about the impacts on residents and businesses in the wider Greater Manchester area.
Air pollution is a public health risk, particularly to the most vulnerable and this Government is committed to reducing non-compliant levels of air pollution as soon as possible.
As such, the Government remains committed to delivering the actions set out in the 2017 NO2 plan. The plan recognised that whilst Clean Air Zones (CAZ) can be effective at reducing NO2 emissions, different types of charging schemes as part of a Clean Air Zone can have a significant impact on businesses and residents. Consequently, local authorities are required to consider whether there are alternatives available that would deliver legal levels of NO2 as or more quickly.
The Government granted permission to Greater Manchester Authorities to delay the implementation of their Clean Air Zone following evidence provided on the impact of COVID-19 on supply chains and the price and availability of second-hand vehicles. Greater Manchester will provide a revised plan by July that better meets the needs of local businesses and residents and sets out how it will deliver legal levels of NO2 as soon as possible.
Some local authorities have determined that CAZs are necessary to deliver legal levels of NO2. Government has provided £880 million for both the implementation of measures and support under our Clean Air Fund which is given to Local Authorities to offer direct support to individuals and businesses to upgrade their vehicles and fleets. This includes awarding £170 million to Greater Manchester authorities to deliver cleaner air. This is on top of significant levels of investment from the Department of Transport in wider measures to support public transport, active travel and low emission vehicles.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the Prime Minister's Answer to the Oral Question asked by the hon. Member for Bury North on 2 March 2022, Official Report, col 1033, whether he agrees that Clean Air Zones can damage business and do not do very much to protect clean air.
Answered by Jo Churchill
The Prime Minister referred specifically to the case of Greater Manchester, where the Government has stepped in to delay implementation of the proposed Clean Air Zone given concerns about the impacts on residents and businesses in the wider Greater Manchester area.
Air pollution is a public health risk, particularly to the most vulnerable and this Government is committed to reducing non-compliant levels of air pollution as soon as possible.
As such, the Government remains committed to delivering the actions set out in the 2017 NO2 plan. The plan recognised that whilst Clean Air Zones (CAZ) can be effective at reducing NO2 emissions, different types of charging schemes as part of a Clean Air Zone can have a significant impact on businesses and residents. Consequently, local authorities are required to consider whether there are alternatives available that would deliver legal levels of NO2 as or more quickly.
The Government granted permission to Greater Manchester Authorities to delay the implementation of their Clean Air Zone following evidence provided on the impact of COVID-19 on supply chains and the price and availability of second-hand vehicles. Greater Manchester will provide a revised plan by July that better meets the needs of local businesses and residents and sets out how it will deliver legal levels of NO2 as soon as possible.
Some local authorities have determined that CAZs are necessary to deliver legal levels of NO2. Government has provided £880 million for both the implementation of measures and support under our Clean Air Fund which is given to Local Authorities to offer direct support to individuals and businesses to upgrade their vehicles and fleets. This includes awarding £170 million to Greater Manchester authorities to deliver cleaner air. This is on top of significant levels of investment from the Department of Transport in wider measures to support public transport, active travel and low emission vehicles.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, and pursuant to the Answer of 3 April 2018 to Question 134113, on Travellers: Equality, what meetings (a) he and (b) his predecessor have had since 2016 with the Minister for the Cabinet Office on using the 2011 census classifications that differentiate Gypsies and Travellers.
Answered by George Eustice
The Race Disparity Audit website displays data where possible using the Census 2011 ethnic categories, which includes Gypsy or Irish Traveller.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Race Disparity Unit work closely together to further progress the harmonisation of ethnicity data across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) and to improve the coverage of ethnic groups including Gypsy, Roma and Travellers.
The Race Disparity Audit Inter Ministerial Group chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster discusses matters pertaining to the progress of the Race Disparity Audit, including on the collection of ethnicity data.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to the oral contribution of the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Paymaster General of 2 November 2016, Official Report, column 879, what progress his Department has made in using the 2011 census classifications that differentiate Gypsies and Travellers.
Answered by George Eustice
The Race Disparity Audit website displays data where possible using the Census 2011 ethnic categories, which includes Gypsy or Irish Traveller.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) and the Race Disparity Unit work closely together to further progress the harmonisation of ethnicity data across the Government Statistical Service (GSS) and to improve the coverage of ethnic groups including Gypsy, Roma and Travellers.
The Race Disparity Audit Inter Ministerial Group chaired by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster discusses matters pertaining to the progress of the Race Disparity Audit, including on the collection of ethnicity data.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to include a commitment to reaching World Health Organisation limits for particulate matter in the new clean air strategy.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse, Jim Fitzpatrick, on 16 February 2018, PQ 126553.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to include a target to reduce premature deaths from air pollution in the new clean air strategy.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
I refer the hon. Members to the reply given to the hon. Member for Poplar and Limehouse, Jim Fitzpatrick, on 16 February 2018, PQ 126553.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture of his Department’s Corporate Report, Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals, published on 14 December 2017, what plans the Government has for tackling household food insecurity in the UK.
Answered by George Eustice
The proportion of household income spent on food by the poorest 20% of households has remained constant at around 16% since 2008.
The Government is committed to providing a strong safety net to those who need it through a well established system of hardship payments and benefit advances.
The UK has a high degree of food security as shown by the 2010 UK Food Security Assessment which analysed the different national and global factors impacting on UK food supply. We have recently commenced a review of the assessment.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the criteria are for successful applications by local authorities for funding from the Government's Clean Air Fund.
Answered by Baroness Coffey
The Government has announced a Clean Air Fund, which will allow local authorities to bid for additional money to support the implementation of measures to improve air quality. This could include interventions such as improvements to local bus fleets, support for concessionary travel and more sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, or infrastructure changes. These interventions could enable local authorities to avoid the imposition of restrictions on vehicles, such as charging zones. To ensure the Fund fits the specific needs of each local area there will be a competitive process through which local authorities bid for support.
As set out in the air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in UK, the Government will provide further detail on the Clean Air Fund later this year.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what discussions he has had with other Departments on continued funding for EU structural and investment projects that provide strong value for money and are in line with domestic strategic priorities signed since the Autumn Statement 2016.
Answered by George Eustice
My Department is in regular contact with all Government departments responsible for European Structural and Investment Funds. All Rural Development Programme and European and European Maritime and Fisheries Fund projects signed to date deliver value for money and are in line with domestic strategic priorities and will be guaranteed by the Government after the UK leaves to EU.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, with reference to UN Sustainable Development Goal 2.1 to by 2030 end hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round, what steps his Department is taking to meet that target.
Answered by George Eustice
Global food security is dependent on a number of factors including increasing production sustainably, reducing waste and ensuring open markets around the world to facilitate trade.
The UK currently has a high degree of food security as shown by the 2010 UK Food Security Assessment. This is a comprehensive piece of work, covering all aspects of food security, including international trade and global resource sustainability. We have just commenced a review of the Assessment which will draw on a wide range of evidence sources.