§ 8. Mr. Gareth Thomas (Harrow, West)If he will set out the social exclusion unit's plans over the next 12 months. [100657]
§ The Minister for Social Exclusion and Deputy Minister for Women(Mrs. Barbara Roche)My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister today announced two major new unit projects. The unit will work across Government to look at what more needs to be done to 808 help people in the most deprived areas move into work, and to prevent social exclusion among adults with mental health problems.
§ Mr. ThomasI warmly welcome that announcement. Will my hon. Friend ask the unit to undertake further work on the institutional, financial and legal barriers that still face social entrepreneurs who want to set up social enterprises to help in the regeneration of their communities?[Interruption.]
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The House is far too noisy.
§ Mrs. RocheMy hon. Friend raises an important point. We should certainly examine barriers to enterprise. The House will be interested to know that the rate of business start-ups is 10 times higher in the best parts of the UK than it is in the most deprived areas. Social entrepreneurs can make a magnificent contribution to neighbourhood renewal and regeneration.
§ Mr. Gary Streeter (South-West Devon)Does the Minister agree that one of the greatest causes of social exclusion is the misery and poverty caused by drugs in our society? After six years of a Labour Government, why do heroin addicts in Plymouth still have to wait two years to get access to treatment?
§ Mrs. RocheI would be very pleased to discuss with the hon. Gentleman any problems that he is encountering in his constituency. As I am the Minister with responsibility for homelessness policy, which can sometimes, but not always, have a connection with drugs, particularly in respect of single homelessness, I have taken a keen interest in this area. I can tell him that very good progress is being made with the work of the drug action teams, but I shall certainly consider the issues in his constituency.