HC Deb 31 March 1999 vol 328 cc799-800W
Mrs. Fyfe

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will estimate the amount of resources to be made available to increase the level of social inclusion under(a) working families tax credits, (b) the national minimum wage, (c) general practitioners for deprived communities, (d) Listening To/Working for Communities and (e) New Deal for Communities Pathfinder projects for each of the next three years.[78714]

Mr. Macdonald

The estimated net value of the Working Families Tax Credit to families in Scotland is £170 million in 2000–01 and £180 million in 2001–02.

It is estimated that 157,000 workers in Scotland will benefit from the introduction of the National Minimum Wage. An estimate of the value of this initiative to workers in Scotland is in preparation, and a letter will be sent to my hon. Friend.

A total of £7.5 million in each of the next 3 years is being invested in payments to general practitioners working in deprived communities.

Investment in the 2 strands of the New Deal for Communities in Scotland (Working for Communities and Listening to Communities) amounts to £3.3 million in 1999–2000, £3.3 million in 2000–01 and £6.3 million in 2001–02.

From 1 July 1999, funding of health services in Scotland and the Working for Communities and Listening to Communities programmes will be matters for the Scottish Parliament.