Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve air quality in (a) Peterborough and (b) the rest of the UK.

Local authorities are responsible for tackling air quality in their local communities. The landmark Environment Act 2021 enables greater local action on air pollution by improving the local air quality management framework in England.

The Act also introduces a clear duty to set two new targets for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) – the pollutant of most harm to health. Our dual-target approach will tackle the highest concentrations and ensure continuous improvement across the country.

The Government is taking robust and comprehensive action to improve air quality in the UK. We are working with local authorities to drive down levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) to within legal levels, supported by £880 million of funding to develop and implement plans, alongside Clean Air Fund grants to support those most impacted by these plans. In addition, we have committed £1.5 billion to support the early market and remove barriers to zero emission vehicles ownership. We have pledged a further £2.8 billion package of measures to support industry and consumers to make the switch to cleaner vehicles. In Summer 2020 the Prime Minister launched ambitious plans to boost walking and cycling in England, with a vision for half of all journeys in towns and cities to be cycled or walked by 2030. This commitment is backed with £2 billion of investment over five years.

The Clean Air Strategy sets out the comprehensive action that is required in England from across all parts of Government and society to meet our targets.

Air quality is a devolved policy the UK Government and the devolved administrations work collaboratively and consult on actions needed to improve air quality across the UK.