GREATER Manchester authorities are demanding that the government commits vital funding ahead of the March Budget so the region can ‘get on’ with its ambitious plans to tackle air pollution.

With polluted air contributing to the equivalent of 1,200 early deaths a year in Greater Manchester alone, local authorities have launched an awareness campaign encouraging the public to do their bit to improve air quality.

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “We are serious about tackling air pollution across our region and, alongside the government, we recognise it is the most pressing environmental public health issue facing the country today.

“However, we can’t get on with our plans without a firm commitment about the vital financial support that will help businesses across Greater Manchester upgrade to cleaner vehicles, to avoid the Clean Air Zone daily charge.

Businesses and residents across the region can find out more about Greater Manchester’s Clean Air Proposals and keep up to date with information about how they might be affected at cleanairgm.com.