§ Mr. TimmsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the progress being made in agreeing a new classification of United Kingdom areas for European statistical purposes. [48267]
§ Mrs. LiddellFollowing extensive discussions, the Government Statistical Service has reached agreement with Eurostat, the Statistical Office of the European Union, on a revised classification. The Nomenclature of Units of Territorial Statistics (NUTS) provides a breakdown of the European Union's territory for producing regional statistics which are comparable across the Union. It has five hierarchical levels, and is built up from administrative units such as local government areas in the member states. A summary of the newly agreed UK structure is give in the table.
25WAt NUTS level 1, the classification now recognises the areas which will also form the boundaries of the Regional Development Agencies.
At NUTS level 2, the major changes agreed, compared with the current structure, are:
The separation of Cornwall and Devon into two separate areas, recognising the very different economic condition of the two counties, Cornwall's sparsity of population, geographical peripherality and distinct cultural and historic factors.The Separation of London into Inner and Outer London, recognising the differences between the inner city and the outer fringe, as well as the fact that London was one of the largest level 2 areas in the European Union.The two-way split of Wales to be on an east/west basis, rather than the current north/south structure. This reflects the evolving differences between the east and the less accessible western and Valleys areas.Changes to boundaries in Scotland to recognise the area represented by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). This enables the structure to more closely reflect the uses to which NUTS-based statistics are put. The HIE area is defined by Act of Parliament and is currently recognised for economic development by the EU and the UK.At NUTS level 3, as substantial increase in the number of areas has been agreed, for the existing 65 to 133, to reflect the changes in local government structures throughout the UK. Further details are set out in the Government Statistical Service press notice issued today, copies of which are available in the House of Commons Library.