§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what account was taken on allocating funds for the urban programme (a) nationally and (b)in Waltham Forest in each year since 1979 of (i) inflation, (ii) the increase in the number of self-help groups and voluntary organisations, (iii) the consequences of the rise in the number of the unemployed and (iv) restrictions on local authority spending; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungResources for the urban programme have risen from £93 million in 1978–79 to £338 million in 1985–86. Funding for voluntary sector projects in 1984–85 is estimated to account for £70 million of UP expenditure. No automatic allowance is made for changes in inflation or unemployment, although residential unemployment rates are taken into account in the policy of concentrating resources in the most needy areas. The urban programme is not intended to offset or undermine the Government's call for economies in local authorities' 33W overall spending. In common with other undesignated authorities, the resources available to Waltham Forest depend on the quality of bids submitted for traditional urban programme funding.