§ Mr. Gordon BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is(a) the Government funding for UK 2000 in 1987–88, 1988–89, with plans for 1989–90 and (b) the number of people employed on programmes under the UK 2000 initiative in each of these years.
§ Mr. TrippierThe Department's grant to UK 2000 in England was £1.381 million in 1987–88 and £1.805 million in 1988–89. In each year UK 2000 matched this grant with private sponsorship. In 1987–88, 10,300 community programme (CP) trainees were employed on projects supported by UK 2000, with 12,500 volunteers also involved. In 1988–89 some 9,000 CP trainees were employed, reducing to under 6,000 trainees following the introduction of employment training, with an estimated 15,000 volunteers also involved.
I have not yet formally offered grant or approved plans for 1989–90. I have however indicated to UK 2000 my intention to continue funding at the same level as in 1988–89, as a declining share of the overall budget for the initiative.
UK 2000 also operates separately in Scotland and Wales, receiving grant from the Scottish and Welsh Offices respectively.