Sir Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, has welcomed the news that Reading Borough Council is set to receive £327,000 from the Government as part of the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs’ Air Quality Grant Scheme.

This funding will go towards local schools’ engagement in tackling air pollution and reducing emissions by funding an interactive education programme. The programme will involve students collecting data on local pollution levels in an aim to raise awareness about air quality and encourage behaviour to reduce pollution.

The investment is part of the Government’s aim to improve air quality, and to protect people and the environment from the effects of air pollution. Reading Borough Council is one of 44 local authorities to be selected for funding, with £10.7 million of investment being awarded by the Government. This raises the total amount awarded by the Air Quality Grant Scheme to nearly £53 million since 2010.

Sir Alok said:

“I am delighted to learn that Reading Borough Council will receive £327,000 from the Government’s Air Quality Grant Scheme. Reducing pollution is essential in tackling global warming, this funding will go towards projects that will teach our young people how they can play a part in reducing local pollution, and thus help the fight against climate change.”

Rebecca Pow MP, Minister for Environmental Quality and Resilience, said:

“In January 2023, the Government launched our Environmental Improvement Plan setting out, amongst other things, our challenge to local authorities to improve air quality and new interim targets to reduce levels of fine particulate matter. Funding from this year’s Air Quality Grant scheme will help to support local authorities in meeting these commitments.”