§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his Department's response to the key recommendations of the Black Training and Enterprise Group on the draft bidding guidance for the single regeneration budget; and what actions are planned by the Government to ensure that the integrated regional offices(a) establish clear requirements for race equality for TECs and local authorities, (b) employ staff at a senior level to formally liaise with the black voluntary sector to ensure they are given the necessary support to put funding bids together, (c) employ staff to assist black businesses and enterprise agencies in accessing contracts funded by the SRB and ensuring that TECs and local authorities have clear guidelines as to how they should assist black enterprise and (d) have a specific budget allocation targeted at the black voluntary sector.
§ Mr. BaldryWe have received a large number of responses following the extensive consultation on the proposed bidding guidance for the new single regeneration budget. We are now considering the comments that have been received, including the recommendations contained in the response from the Black Training and Enterprise Group, and this will inform the revision of the bidding guidance. The revised bidding guidance will be issued by the new regional offices in early April.
The Home Office will be posting an officer to each of the new regional offices, who will monitor objectives for supporting the ethnic minorities, and will provide advice to the senior regional directors.