To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps his Department has taken to improve air quality around schools in Hackney.
Answered on
10 June 2019
The Mayor of London is responsible for air quality in the capital and has reserve powers under the 1995 Environment Act to enable this.
Local authorities have discretionary powers to restrict car access to schools and enforce anti-idling laws outside schools.
Local authorities are best placed to target action to improve local air quality. The Government’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. The Government has awarded over £60 million in funding since the air quality grant started in 1997, including £3 million in 2018/19. Hackney Council has benefited from this fund.
The Government has put in place a £3.5 billion plan to improve air quality and reduce harmful nitrogen dioxide emissions. Our Clean Air Strategy sets out measures we are taking to improve air quality and reduce emissions of pollution, improving public health.