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.