§ 26. Mr. Sayeedasked the Paymaster General what progress has been made with the inner cities initiative.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeEncouraging progress has been made since the initiative was announced on 6 February.
We are tackling a number of major issues including the need to ensure that urban development projects in inner cities produce more work and training opportunities for residents.
We are also taking various measures to encourage enterprise, particularly among the ethnic minorities. We are aiming to set up enterprise agencies, particularly for ethnic minorities, managed workshops and skill training facilities. We are also exploring other ways of giving more positive help to small businesses in partnership with the private sector.