LEIGH MP James Grundy has criticised Manchester’s Clean Air Zone in today's Prime Minister's Questions calling it "a job-destroying tax on ordinary working people."

The controversial Clean Air Zone, which is set to be introduced in May, means drivers will have to pay a daily fee to drive within the Greater Manchester Clean Air Zone, which will operate across the 10 council areas in the conurbation.

Addressing the House of Commons, Mr Grundy, said: "The Greater Manchester Mayoral Clean Air scheme, which is effectively a congestion charge effecting all 500 square miles of Manchester, including Leigh, is a job-destroying tax on ordinary working people.

"We all want clean air but the model proposed by Mayor Burnham is unworkable and economicaly devastating with charges of £60 per day per lorry driver.

"Taxis, white van men and even buses will be caught by it. Will the PM intervene to prevent Mayor Burnham from inflicting this disasterous Labour scheme on Greater Manchester?"

The first phase of the Clean Air Zone is due to launch on May 30 2022 affecting buses, HGVs, taxis and private hire vehicles licensed outside Greater Manchester, and coaches which don’t meet emission standards, with some exemptions.

Although private cars will be exempt, the owners of vehicles including vans, HGVs, taxis and buses will have to make the payments if their motors do not meet certain emission standards designed to improve air quality.

The daily rate will be set at £7.50 for taxis, £10 for vans and £60 for lorries, buses and coaches.

Replying to Mr Grundy, Prime Minister Boris Johnson, said: "I know from my own experience how vital it is when you are trying to clean up air in a great city that you do not unjustly penalise business and particuarly small businesses.

"It has become clear that the scheme proposed by the Labour Mayor in Manchester is completely unworkable and will do more damage to businesses and residents in Manchester so we must find an alternative that doesn't ounish local residents and my right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment will be saying more about this in the coming weeks."

The government has made £120m available to fund financial support packages, with grants on offer of up to £12,000 for replacement of the largest HGVs and £4,500 for vans.