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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce air pollution around schools.

Our Clean Air Strategy sets out measures to reduce emissions of pollution, improving public health.

The Government has put in place a £3.5 billion plan to improve air quality and reduce harmful emissions.

The Mayor of London is responsible for air quality in London. Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality. Defra’s Air Quality Grant Programme provides funding to local authorities for projects in local communities to tackle air pollution and reduce emissions which may include action targeting schools. Defra has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19.