§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the need for targeted economic assistance to areas which have high concentrations of retired persons. [67256]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 27 January 1999]: Government spending on retired persons is targeted at individuals rather than at areas. The allocation of extra economic assistance through regeneration spending to particular areas is determined by the Index of Local Deprivation, a comprehensive index made up of a broad range of indicators of deprivation. The Government are also examining the issues which affect retired people at a national and local level in a number of ways, through the Performance and Innovation Unit?s work on Active Ageing, the Better Government for Older People pilot areas, the Health Action Zones and other national and area based initiatives.