§ 62. Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has any proposals to stimulate home improvements in the private sector.
§ Mr. John PattenMy right hon. Friend announced last week that the planned increase in current spending on housing for 1987–88 contained provision for a new initiative to encourage the growth of home improvement agency schemes which provide practical help and advice to home owners in getting repair and improvement work done to their property.
On 17 November I announced that the Government have agreed to provide just over £2 million to the private sector to help the National Home Improvement Council's neighbourhood revitalisation services establish a further 245W 25 schemes to build on the success of the four pilot projects it has already established. The first of the new NRS projects are expected to be in Rochdale, Tameside, Bradford and High Peak.
A further 25 new projects are to be established in the voluntary sector by Care and Repair Ltd., with Government support of almost £1 million. Five of these schemes will be set up independently by Anchor Housing Trust, and the remainder by other housing associations and voluntary organistions. Care and Repair and Anchor has pioneered the provision of "staying put" services for the elderly, and have established around 20 schemes between them so far. The first projects under the new initiative are expected to be in Bristol, Newham, Leicester and Wigan.
The Government's contribution will be matched pound for pound by the private and voluntary sectors, making £6 million available towards the start-up costs of 50 new projects nationwide. Agency services have already shown that they have a significant role to play in tackling disrepair in the housing stock, by directing help to those who heed it most and in attracting private investment to supplement grant spending. I am glad that the Government have been able to support this significant expansion.