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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what the criteria are for successful applications by local authorities for funding from the Government's Clean Air Fund.

The Government has announced a Clean Air Fund, which will allow local authorities to bid for additional money to support the implementation of measures to improve air quality. This could include interventions such as improvements to local bus fleets, support for concessionary travel and more sustainable modes of transport such as cycling, or infrastructure changes. These interventions could enable local authorities to avoid the imposition of restrictions on vehicles, such as charging zones. To ensure the Fund fits the specific needs of each local area there will be a competitive process through which local authorities bid for support.

As set out in the air quality plan for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in UK, the Government will provide further detail on the Clean Air Fund later this year.