§ 21. Mr. MacShaneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to reduce poverty in the English regions. [466]
§ Mr. CabornReducing poverty across the nation is one of the Government's key policy objectives. Our policies for the regions are aimed at tackling the root causes of deprivation and promoting economic growth. New regional development agencies will provide the means of securing effective, properly co-ordinated action at the regional and sub-regional level, to underpin our wider economic and social agenda.