HC Deb 19 May 2004 vol 421 cc1039-40W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the National Association for Neighbourhood Watch. [173420]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 14 May 2004]: The National Neighbourhood Watch Association is an independent organisation and its future is a matter for the association itself.

General government grants1

£ million

Annual percentage change in

general government grants

Percentage

Specific grants and

capital provision2

£ million

Total

£ million

Annual percentage change

in all government grants

Percentage

1997–98 1,549 39 1,588
1998–99 1,572 1.5 35 1,607 1.2
1999–2000 1,594 1.4 35 1,629 1.4
2000–01 1,586 -0.5 61 1,647 1.1
2001–02 1,666 5.0 125 1,791 8.7
2001–023 1,647 125 1,772
2002–03 1,677 1.8 259 1,936 9.3
2003–04 1,764 5.2 290 2,054 6.1
2004–05 1,822 3.3 309 2,131 3.7
1 General government grants comprise Home Office police grant, ODPM Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates. It also includes SSA Reduction Grant (£42.3 million in 1997–98, £32.1 million in 1998–99, £24.9 million in 1999–2000 and £10.4 million in 2000–01).
2 Includes funding from the Crime Fighting Fund, Basic Command Unit funding, Street Crime Initiative, Community Support Officer funding, Special Priority Payments, the DNA Expansion Programme, London Allowance, Free Travel, Capital grant, Airwave, Premises Improvement Fund, C3i and Counter Terrorism funding. The total for specific grants in 2004–05 is an estimate.
3 Figures for 2001–02 are not directly comparable with 2002–03 due to the change in funding arrangements for NCS and NCIS. Adjusted figures for 2001–02 are included to allow direct comparison with 2002–03.

Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support and assistance he provides to Neighbourhood Watch districts merging into regional bodies. [173422]

Ms Blears

[holding answer 14 May 2004]: None. I am not aware of proposals for such mergers. I will consider any proposals if they are put to me. The Home Office and a number of Police forces provide considerable support to local neighbourhood watch schemes.