§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he is taking to promote urban renewal. [107149]
§ Mr. McNultyThe Government's policies for delivering an urban renaissance were set out in the Urban White Paper, "Our Towns and Our Cities: the Future", published in November 2000. This provides the framework within which Government policies and programmes affecting urban areas in England are coordinated.
In February 2003, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister launched "Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future"—a £22 billion action programme to improve housing and communities, including over £5 billion to regenerate deprived areas. This programme builds on the policies and actions in the Urban White Paper and the Rural White Paper, "Our Countryside: the Future".
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is investing over £4 billion through the Neighbourhood Renewal National Strategy Action Plan to tackle deprivation, and extend prosperity and opportunity to the poorest neighbourhoods in the country. This money is used to encourage the better targeting of services and mainstream public funds to the most deprived areas and to provide evidence of best practice through pathfinder programmes.