HC Deb 04 February 1987 vol 109 c720W
29. Mr. Favell

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the measures which he has taken since June 1983 to assist the north of England.

Mr. Ridley

My Department deploys a range of measures to assist those areas of England. including many northern industrial areas, which are experiencing difficulties in adjusting to changing economic and social circumstances.

I have announced the establishment of four new urban development corporations. These are in addition to the existing measures which include the urban programme; enterprise zones; and grants for urban development, urban regeneration and derelict land, the vast proportion of which go to northern industrial areas. The introduction of the uniform non-domestic rate will also cut rate bills substantially for businesses in most parts of the north. In addition rate support grant redistributes about £1 billion from London and the south-east.