§ 28. Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to assist the regeneration of urban areas.
§ Mr. RedwoodThe Government remain strongly committed to the regeneration of urban areas. We have provided over £90 million more resources for my Department's urban group of programmes than previously planned for 1993–94. This will allow full funding for each of the 31 successful city challenge areas next year as part of their £37–5 million five-year programme. It will also allow the urban development corporations to continue to develop their areas. The Urban Regeneration Agency will build on UDC experience in regenerating land for the benefit of urban areas. We have enabled local authorities to make greater use of capital receipts, backed by £20 million of capital partnership resources from the urban programme. Next year we will also be opening four new inner city task forces, in Birmingham, Plymouth, Stockton and Haringey.