§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make a statement on the effect of and implications for Wythenshawe of the announcement made by the Minister of State for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration in Manchester on 18 February in relation to round 2 of the estates renewal challenge fund; and if he will publish in theOfficial Report the text of the announcement. [17289]
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§ Mr. CurryMy announcement of the successful bids for funds from round 2 of the estates renewal challenge fund is good news for the residents of Wythenshawe. Manchester have been allocated almost £21 million towards the costs of the regeneration of 7,000 properties in the Wythenshawe area. If the tenants agree, their homes will transfer to a new local housing company and will then benefit from an estimated additional £64 million of investment, beyond what would be possible if the housing stayed with the council. This area is already a successful bidder for Government support under the single regeneration budget so the estate transfer will enable a comprehensive area renewal policies to be pursued by public-private sector partnership. The text of the announcement on the estates renewal challenge fund has been published in theOfficial Report. I refer the hon. Member to column 420 on Monday 17 February.