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 Stoke-on-Trent.

The Joint Air Quality Unit has provided funding and support to, and continues to work closely with, Stoke-on-Trent Council as they develop plans to tackle their nitrogen dioxide exceedances. Air Quality Ministers from both Defra and the Department for Transport have met Stoke-on-Trent councillors and hon. Members several times over the past 12 months to hear their views on how best to deal with the air quality problem in the Potteries.

Stoke has also received funding of over £34 million from the Transforming Cities Fund to develop and improve transport across the city, some of which is earmarked for active travel schemes to help improve air quality for the city’s residents.