HC Deb 28 May 1970 vol 801 cc533-4W
Mr. Alfred Morris

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the urban programme.

Mr. Callaghan:

In July, 1968, I announced the Government's Urban Programme to improve social services in areas of special need, and explained that this would provide for local authority expenditure to a total of £20 to £25 million up to April, 1972. Expenditure approved under the programme attracts an Exchequer grant of 75 per cent.

This programme has been widely regarded as filling a special need, and I would like to pay a tribute to the helpful way in which local authorities have cooperated.

What has been done has been a useful supplement to the Government's major programmes for schools, housing, and health and welfare in areas of special social need. In the two phases of the programme so far announced expenditure to a total of £8 million has been approved, and, to take education as an example, the projects have included 416 nursery classes which will provide over 10,000 additional places. The remainder of the £20 million to £25 million will be spent on further building, running costs including salaries and other projects.

This method of identifying and then making provision for special social needs in certain older urban areas has been generally welcomed by local authorities and social workers alike.

In consultation with the local authority associations, the Government have therefore decided to extend the programme for a further four years; that is to say, until April. 1976. It is expected that the expenditure during this second four-year period will be up to £40 million.

This extension of the programme will enable local authorities to look further ahead. Details of the third phase of the programme will be sent to them shortly, and proposals will be invited for future expenditure. Provision will be made for building projects to the value of about £4 million, and for annual revenue ex- penditure on a variety of projects including further assistance to voluntary playgroups. The intention is that in future the building programme will be reviewed and extended annually.

The Government propose similarly to extend to March, 1976, the Urban Programme for Scotland which is administered by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.