Michael Gove says fine drivers who leave their engines running while parked

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Drivers who leave their car engines running while parked could face instant fines under Government plans to tackle air pollution.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove yesterday backed calls to give councils the power to automatically hit drivers in the pocket if they are repeatedly caught idling.

Under existing rules, drivers can only be fined up to £80 if they ignore an initial warning from enforcement officers.

Mr Gove’s backing came as Health Secretary Matt Hancock said he was a ‘massive supporter’ of local authorities banning cars left running outside schools.

Mr Hancock also claimed that tackling air pollution is a more pressing issue for public health than improving the NHS. He said yesterday: ‘Air pollution is a public health emergency.

‘Within the Department of Health we are responsible for the health of the population.

‘Hitherto we have spent most of our effort and budget looking at hospitals, primary care and secondary care.

‘Instead we need to ask what helps people live longer and healthier lives. About one fifth of what determines healthy life is what happens in hospital… one third is environment.

‘There is more of a link from environmental matters to health than the NHS. It is core to the business of your health to care about the environment and clean air.’

Mr Hancock added: ‘I’m a massive supporter of local authorities who exercise the powers they already have to stop cars idling outside schools.’

Part of the Government’s Clean Air Strategy, launched in January, involves considering stricter rules to punish idling vehicles.