§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget was for each market renewal pathfinder scheme for(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04, broken down by (i) English region and (ii) pathfinder area. [151880]
§ Mr. RaynsfordOver the financial year 2002–03 and 2003–04, there has been a budget of £2.66 million for each pathfinder for preparation of a strategic scheme and where considered appropriate by them some early action projects.
852WFor 2003–04 to 2005–06, a market renewal fund of £500 million has been created for the nine pathfinders. So far for 2003–04, Birmingham Sandwell, East Lancashire, Oldham and Rochdale, Merseyside, NewcastleGateshead, North Staffordshire and South Yorkshire have been allocated £4 million to begin action on the ground ahead of scheme agreement.
Manchester Salford is the first pathfinder to complete and agree their strategic scheme. They have been awarded £125 million over the next two-and-a-half years to implement their scheme. Merseyside has recently been awarded £86 million and NewcastleGateshead £69 million. Three other pathfinders have submitted their scheme to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister—East Lancashire, Oldham Rochdale and South Yorkshire—these are currently being assessed and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister expects to announce allocations later this year.
The table summarises funding allocations thus far for 2002–03 and 2003–04 by pathfinder and English region. The figures for Manchester Salford, NewcastleGateshead and Merseyside show funding up until March 2006.
£ million Region/pathfinder Total funding for pathfinder Total funding for region North West Manchester Salford 127.66 233.64 Merseyside East Lancashire 92.66 East Lancashire 6.66 Oldham Rochdale 6.66 North East NewcastleGateshead 75.66 75.66 Yorkshire and the Humber South Yorkshire 6.66 9.32 Hull and East Riding 2.66 West Midlands Birmingham Sandwell 6.66 13.32 North Staffordshire 6.66