§ Mr. CatonTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) what are the Government's priorities for expenditure in tackling social exclusion in Wales; [52429]
(2) how much money will be dedicated to tackling social exclusion in Wales in 1999–2000; [52426]
(3) what assessment he has made of the factors underlying differences in his Department's spending priorities for tackling social exclusion in Wales relative to those in (a) England and (b) Scotland; [52431]
(4) what initiatives his Department (a) has taken and (b) proposes to take to tackle social exclusion in Wales; [52435]
(5) what funding will be made available for tackling social exclusion in Wales in 1998–99. [52450]
§ Mr. Ron DaviesThe Social Exclusion Programme for Wales—"People in Communities"—was launched on 1 May. It aims to tackle social exclusion in a co-ordinated way through community development with an emphasis on action research. We have invited local authorities to put forward bids from which we will select, this autumn, around six pilot communities on which the programme will focus. The programme has been drawn up in response to the particular needs of Wales, and taking account of existing development programmes. We have, however, taken note of the work of the Social Exclusion Unit in England in devising our programme for Wales.
£750,000 is being made available for the initial twelve month development phase. This will enable the six or so selected communities to undertake an extensive needs assessment to identify local priorities for action. In the second stage of the programme, funding will be made available through mainstream Programmes, and my Department will be seeking ways to ensure that pilot communities have access to a wide range of sources of support.
We want to identify and to promote what works in securing long-term and sustainable community-based regeneration. We will look, for example, at the way we bring on board initiatives such as Employment Zones and New Deal Pilot Projects, or handle Capital Challenge and 363W Strategic Development Scheme money. We will aim to disseminate good practice as widely as possible across Wales.
In addition to the "People in Communities" Programme, my Department is taking account of the impact on social exclusion in developing policies in other areas such as the "Better Health Better Wales" Green Paper and housing policy.
My Department is also taking forward for Wales the commitments given in relation to England in the Social Exclusion Unit report on Exclusions and truancy to reduce levels of permanent and fixed term exclusions from school and unauthorised absence.