HC Deb 29 April 2003 vol 404 c352W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what public opinion research was commissioned by his Department in the preparation of the Anti-social Behaviour Bill; and if he will make a statement. [109602]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

We did not commission any public opinion research in preparation of the Anti-social Behaviour Bill. However, the British Crime Survey 2001–02 reported that one in three people perceived Anti-social behaviour to be a problem in their area.

Mr. Luff

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what financial assistance is available from his Department for initiatives to divert young people from Anti-social behaviour. [109102]

Mr. Bob Ainsworth

The Home Office contributes to various diversionary schemes for young people. The results have been encouraging and evidence from them suggests strong arguments for the potentially positive contribution that diversionary activities can make in helping and preventing young people who are involved, or are at risk of becoming involved in crime and Antisocial behaviour.

Positive Activities for Young People fund is to be launched in May 2003. This pulls together under one initiative, a range of funding to provide year round activities for young people. £25 million is available for 2003, which comprises contributions from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) (New Opportunities Fund), the Department for Education and Skills (DIES) (Connexions) and Home Office (Community Cohesion and Splash), and will be distributed by the Government Offices.

The Home Office also funds a scheme called Positive Futures, which promotes the use of sport to reduce Anti-social behaviour, crime and drug misuse among 10 to 16-year-olds from selected/disadvantaged neighbourhoods. In 2002–03 the budget for Positive Futures was £4 million, of which £2.6 million was from the Home Office. In the 2002 Comprehensive Spending Review, the Positive Futures programme received an additional £15 million over the next three years. This will be spent on developing existing projects, of which there are currently 67, and on creating a third phase of projects.