§ Lord Inglewoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether, in a case where an unemployment blackspot is contained within a larger travel-to-work area whose average unemployment level is significantly better, assisted area status can be given to the blackspot alone.
§ Baroness Denton of WakefieldThe consultation paper issued by the Government when the assisted areas map review was announced made clear that designations will be based on existing travel-to-work areas (TTWA s). TTWA s are broad approximations to local labour markets and by targeting assistance at this level we can best ensure that new investment in the area benefits those people within it. It is more difficult to target assistance on smaller areas and to be sure that people within them benefit. The Government will, however, consider very carefully any representations on this issue which have been made as part of the public consultation process.