Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what additional support the Government will provide to Greater Manchester Combined Authority to implement the clean air zone required by central government.
We have provided a substantial £132 million from the Clean Air Fund to Greater Manchester authorities to help businesses and individuals upgrade to compliant vehicles. This is on top of providing £36 million to enable the implementation of the Clean Air Zone.
This funding has not yet been spent as the HGV support scheme has only recently opened for applications, and schemes for other vehicle types affected are due to launch later in the year.
We have also agreed with Greater Manchester authorities that we will keep the position of further funding under review, subject to clear evidence of need and have agreed a process for doing so.
We are aware that Greater Manchester has proposed a review of funds and we continue to engage with them on the evidence.