City Challenge and Urban Programme

HC Deb 01 December 1992 vol 215 cc152-3W

Mr. Bowis

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what resources will be available for city challenge and the urban programme in 1993–94.

Mr. Howard

City challenge and urban programme resources will rise from a total provision of £319 million in 1992–93 to £408 million in 1993–94, underlining the Government's continued commitment to urban regeneration. In addition, the 57 urban programme authorities will have an estimated £500 million in extra spending power in 1993–94 as a result of the changes I announced on 13 November in the capital receipts rules. To complement these resources, I have decided to make available up to £20 million in uncommitted urban programme resources in 1993–94 through a new urban partnership fund (UPF) which will combine with local authorities' usable capital receipts and other funding, including private finance, to promote urban regeneration. Details of the UPF are included in guidance to local authorities, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.