§ Dr. IddonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the reduction in section 44 funding for Racial Equality Councils. [172829]
§ Fiona MactaggartSection 44 of the Race Relations Act 1976 sets out the purpose for which the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) may give financial assistance to other organisations. It does not prescribe which types of bodies may receive financial assistance and therefore does not limit such assistance to Racial Equality Councils (RECs). This year more applicants received funding under section 44 than in previous years. RECs still made up the large majority of organisations in receipt of grant from the CRE. However, a few RECs received no funding this year and some others received less funding than previously, where their applications did not fully meet the Commission's criteria.
We warmly welcome the Commission's policy of using the Getting Results programme to support any innovative project that delivers real outcomes and makes a difference to race equality and race relations within its local community.