HC Deb 02 July 2003 vol 408 cc360-1W
Dr. Whitehead

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the function is of the Government Offices for the Regions. [122530]

Phil Hope

Government Offices are key agents of Government in the English Regions. Working with regional and local agencies, they are well placed to promote, manage and implement a wide variety of Government programmes. By working with regional development agencies, regional chambers/assemblies, local authorities, and local learning and skills councils they also play a significant role in managing regional and local relationships on behalf of central government.

Government Offices bring together the activities and interests of 10 Government Departments within a single organisation, as follows:

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

  • Regional governance
    • 361W
  • Local Government
  • Neighbourhood Renewal
  • Sustainable Communities (Housing and Planning)
  • Urban Policy and Regeneration

Department for Transport

  • Local Transport Plans
  • Regional Transport Strategies
  • Transport Modelling Studies

Department of Trade and Industry

  • Sponsorship of Regional Development Agencies
  • Business input to Neighbourhood Renewal programmes
  • Communicating with business
  • Regional economic intelligence

Department for Education and Skills

  • School improvement (working with education advisers),
  • Links between neighbourhood renewal work and education floor targets
  • Adult skills
  • Support for Local Learning and Skills Councils
  • Positive activities for young people
  • Sure Start
  • Children's Fund
  • Connexions

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

  • Rural renewal
  • Sustainable development

Department for Culture Media and Sport

  • Linking culture, tourism, and sport with other programmes and the New Opportunities Fund

Home Office

  • Crime Reduction programmes
  • Community Cohesion
  • Drugs Prevention

Department of Health

  • Public health issues
  • Promoting engagement between the National Health Service and neighbourhood renewal

Department for Work and Pensions

  • European Social Fund Programme
  • Links with Job Centre Plus

Cabinet Office

  • Emergencies
  • Links with Regional News Network

Government Office's are uniquely placed to take a cross-departmental approach to regional and local issues, and to provide a coherent view of the operation of, and interactions between Government programmes. As part of central Government, their role also includes providing a regional perspective to inform the development and evaluation of national policy.

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