'Chaos in Westminster' could cause a decision on the Clean Air Zone to be pushed back as Greater Manchester waits for the government to respond. The controversial scheme, which was set to start charging some of the most polluting vehicles on the city-region's roads earlier this year, has been paused.
Mayor Andy Burnham said the scheme became 'unworkable' post-pandemic because Covid made the cost of upgrading to cleaner vehicles unaffordable. It followed a public backlash which led to the government agreeing to a delay.
Local leaders have since submitted a revised proposal for an incentive-led scheme which they argue will be enough to bring pollution below legal limits. But responding to calls to scrap charges, former environment secretary George Eustice suggested charging some vehicles in the city centre only.
