§ Lord Mottistoneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What resources will be available for local authorities in the Urban Programme in 1990–91.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Hesketh)My honourable friend the Minister for Local Government and Inner Cities has today announced the initial Urban Programme resource allocations for 1990–91, totalling over £258 million, an increase of £13 million over last year. The resources will be 631WA allocated to the 57 Urban Programme partnership and programme authorities. The money will be used to support a wide range of projects aimed at stimulating economic recovery, improving the environment and helping people to deal with social problems in urban areas.
The Urban Programme encourages local authorities, in partnership with government, to help revitalise our inner cities. It is a key part of the Government's Action for Cities programme, which includes the Department of the Environment's other urban initiatives—Urban Development Corporations, City Grant and Derelict Land Grant. Together, these Department of the Environment 632WA programmes will provide £920 million for inner city regeneration in 1990–91.
The Urban Programme allocations made today, some three weeks earlier than last year, are provisional: formal allocations are made after inner area programmes (IAPs) have been assessed and approved. Allocations will not be confirmed until authorities have provided a satisfactory annual report on achievements through the UP in 1988–89. Redistribution of resources can sometimes occur within the course of the year which may lead to outturn being different from the initial allocations.
Copies of the allocations to individual authorities have been placed in the Library.