§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a further statement on the progress of his Department's inner-city initiative.
§ Mr. AtkinsThe inner city task forces are a central part of the Government's action for cities. They were set up in February 1986 as small local teams charged with experimenting with policies and projects to tackle the problems of small inner city areas with big problems. They remain very closely involved in local economic regeneration. They are meeting their objectives of securing more jobs for local people and improving their employability, encouraging and facilitating local enterprise and supporting environmental and crime prevention initiatives.
Over 600 projects have been supported by the task forces, covering a broad spread of activity from which important lessons are being learnt and the results disseminated, for example, about
- targeted training
- developing schools-industry links
- helping small businesses start and grow through advice and better access to finance
- encouraging local purchasing initiatives.
In all these areas, and others, we are learning, above all, how to encourage and develop the contribution of the local business world in each city to action for cities so that all residents of our cities can benefit from increased national prosperity.
In addition to my Department's task force initiative, my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster carries responsibility under the Prime Minister for co-ordinating the Government's action for cities, which involves a number of Departments. I am glad to say that there has been a most positive response from business to join us in tackling the problems of our inner cities following the breakfast presentations that my colleagues and myself have been making around the country.