Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 21
21
Rejected
Government sees the relationship with local authorities as a partnership, and told us that it...
Conclusion
Government sees the relationship with local authorities as a partnership, and told us that it believes the programme will fail if it is seen to be a top-down programme done by national Government.29 However, local authorities are expected to follow a fairly centralised, prescriptive approach to achieving compliance with air quality targets, albeit with some discretion about the mix of exemptions to be applied in any charging Clean Air Zone.30 Some local authorities told the National Audit Office that there was still too much emphasis placed on CAZs as the default option, instead of other measures that may be more suited to the area.31 Similarly, we have heard that Greater Manchester considers a broader approach, including measures such as promoting active travel and providing revenue support for low fares, would have been better than charging.32
Government Response Summary
The government disagrees with the need for a national communication campaign on Clean Air Zones, stating that local authorities are best placed to tailor communications to their communities, and that it has already provided significant support for local campaigns.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
3.1 The government disagrees with the Committee’s recommendation. 3.2 Local authorities are important partners in delivering better air quality for local communities. The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Transport already engage regularly and constructively with local authorities. Local authorities are best placed to tailor communications to communities. This year, through our air quality grant, nearly £6 million was awarded to local authorities across 29 projects that include actions to improve public awareness of air pollution. 3.3 The government recognises that more can be done to ensure that air quality information is effectively communicated to the public. That is why the government launched a comprehensive Air Quality Information System (AQIS) Review. Outcomes from the review will be published on UK-AIR, with a final report in early 2024. This includes how government can support local authorities in communicating local air quality information. 3.4 The government has funded Global Action Plan (GAP) to deliver Clean Air Day since its inception in 2017 and will continue to work closely with GAP and other stakeholders to improve public awareness of air quality issues. 3.5 The government has taken a strong lead in helping local authorities communicate about Clean Air Zones including nearly £3 million support for marketing. Evaluation has shown high levels of awareness and understanding of Clean Air Zones across multiple local authorities following their communication. It is the government’s view that local authorities are best placed to deliver these communications. The government therefore is not persuaded that a national communications campaign is necessary to supplement this.