§ Ms QuinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list the United Kingdom projects to receive funds as part of the EU initiative to combat poverty and social exclusion. [13160]
§ Mr. Andrew MitchellThe United Kingdom permanent representative to the European Union wrote to the European Commission in December seeking further information about its proposals to spend money on projects seeking to combat social exclusion. We have asked the Commission on what legal basis it is funding such projects. No response has yet been received, and Governments have not officially been notified of the Commission's intentions. The UK has already made clear to the Commission its additional scepticism about the value for public money of projects of this kind.
As an issue of principle, it is unacceptable for substantial spending projets to be undertaken without a clear legal basis. Such practices offend against budgetary discipline and undermine member states' own efforts to constrain public spending. Resources within the Community as a whole are finite. It follows that any resources used without the authority of member states will mean fewer resources are available for national Governments to support anti-exclusion projects in member states.
The Government's commitment to providing assistance for disadvantaged people is clear. In addition to spending an estimated £85 billion in this financial year on social security benefits, the Government are already funding many projects to combat social exclusion in the UK through inner city challenge, adult training, health care, housing and literacy programmes.