Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what (a) financial and (b) other resources he is making available to help local authorities become carbon neutral.

Local authorities have a vital role in meeting our net zero commitment. Support is available from departments across Government for councils seeking to undertake local action on climate change. Recent examples include the Green Homes Grant (BEIS) and Active Travel Fund (DfT).

On 8 July, the Chancellor announced a £2 billion Green Homes Grant scheme to upgrade homes across England. £500 million funding will be delivered through local authorities, to improve the energy efficiency of low-income households. This will help reduce fuel poverty and support the installation of low carbon heating.

The £250 million emergency active travel fund announced on 9 May is designed to help local authorities create an environment that is safe for both walking and cycling in their regions. The money will help create pop-up bike lanes, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors. We want to support all communities across England who want to change the way they use their streets and new guidance has already been published to tell councils how they can give more road space to cyclists and pedestrians.

To encourage drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles as part of a greener future, the Government has also announced an extra £10 million to incentivise local authorities to install up to 7,200 additional on-street electric vehicle chargepoints, doubling the current funding amount for the second time this year.

It is for authorities to decide what measures are best aligned with local opportunities and needs.