§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what future funding has been agreed to support the Allerton outreach team; and if he will make a statement. [17255]
§ Mr. CurryThe Allerton estate is the subject of a comprehensive programme of housing and environmental improvements costing £31.9 million. It is being supported by £20.75 million estate action commitment under the single regeneration budget. We approved the first phase of work in December 1994. The Employment Service undertook to fund jointly with Bradford council, and for a limited three-month period until March 1995, the cost of outreach work to help unemployed adults access the training and employment opportunities created by the estate action programme. Discussions have been taking place with the council to explore how the scheme might be extended into 1995–96. Bradford training and enterprise council has offered to contribute £10,000 towards the cost of an outreach worker in 1995–96, and to arrange for up to £10,000-worth of guidance vouchers to be ring-fenced for use by Allerton's residents. It is hoped that the local authority will also make a contribution. These discussions are continuing.