Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Rejected
On the other hand, government has not taken the responsibility it should for national messaging...
Conclusion
On the other hand, government has not taken the responsibility it should for national messaging on the need for air quality measures. We asked Defra and DfT why Government had decided against a national communication campaign about the new charging Clean Air Zones (CAZs) that are coming into effect through the NO2 programme in favour of a locally-led approach. They told us that this was because they consider local places are best placed to judge how to communicate with their residents, and because they consider that local awareness of which vehicles are subject to a charge is the priority.34 However, surveys in the first two cities with CAZs, Bath and Birmingham, showed that the local campaigns had mixed results. They did not result in a statistically significant increase in the percentage of residents who ‘know a great deal’ or ‘fair amount’ about the CAZ, and the reasons for the CAZ were misunderstood by a substantial minority of those surveyed in both cities, with many believing the purpose was to raise revenue for the local authority.35 27 Follow-up response submitted by Defra and DfT dated 11 July 2022 28 C&AG’s Report, para 2.12 29 Q 34, 40 30 Q 35 31 C&AG’s Report, para 2.21 32 Q 35 33 Q 41 34 Qq 50, 51 35 C&AG’s Report, para 3.28 12 Tackling local air quality breaches Moreover, the experience of Covid-19 showed that the success of local communications partly depends on a strong national message about what is to be achieved; if the national message does not come through, local authorities will struggle.36 Public spending on air quality
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.