§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list in the Official Report current programmes funded by his Department for inner city regeneration in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramA wide range of programmes contribute to our objective of inner city regeneration. The main ones are as follows
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- (a) the urban programme provides 75 per cent. grant support to local authority and voluntary projects which tackle multiple deprivation in urban areas;
- (b) the local enterprise grants for urban projects (LEG-UP) scheme administered by the Scottish Development Agency provides funding to lever desirable private sector investment into urban areas;
- (c) in addition, the Scottish Development Agency has wide ranging powers to tackle the economic and environmental aspects of urban renewal. Specifically, it has nine local economic initiatives under way which are intended to regenerate the local urban economy and environment;
- (d) housing associations (through the Housing Corporation) and the Scottish Special Housing Association contribute to urban regeneration through the rehabilitation and development of urban housing;
- (e) regional assistance programmes (regional development grant and regional selective assistance) provide funding to support new economic activity in assisted areas.
In addition, many Government programmes assist urban areas, although not specifically targeted on them.
The Government remain committed to tackling the problems of urban decay and disadvantage through determined focusing of a wide range of resources, by central and local government, other agencies and the voluntary and private sectors.