Air Pollution: Pollution Control

(asked on 28th March 2022) - View Source

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 give further financial support to local authorities tackling rising levels of toxic air.


Answered by
Jo Churchill Portrait
Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 5th April 2022

Latest published figures show that air pollution has reduced significantly since 2010. Emissions of nitrogen oxides have fallen by 44% - and are at their lowest level since records began, sulphur dioxide emissions have fallen by 70% and fine particulate matter emissions are down 18%. However, the Government recognises that there is more to do to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution.

We are providing £880 million to help local authorities develop and implement local air quality plans and to support those impacted by these plans. This government is also taking action across transport by supporting the switch to electric vehicles with £2.8 billion of investment, and £2 billion in funding for cycling and walking over this Parliament.

We have also recently awarded £11.6 million from Defra's annual Air Quality Grant Scheme to local authorities in England for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions affecting schools, businesses, and communities. The scheme will open for applications again later this year.

We also plan to provide local authorities with funding for measures introduced through our landmark Environment Act 2021 to improve the enforcement and management of smoke emissions in smoke control areas in England.

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