Healthy Living Centres

HC Deb 18 May 1999 vol 331 cc325-6W

Mr. Rammell

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the development of healthy living centres. [83417]

Mr. Chris Smith

[holding answer 17 May 1999]: The New Opportunities Fund launched the healthy living centre initiative on 29 January 1999. £300 million of Lottery money is available under this initiative to establish a core network of healthy living centres across the UK. By the end of 2002, the New Opportunities Fund aims to have awarded grants to projects that will ensure that healthy living centres are accessible to 20 per cent. of the population of the UK.

The application process is underway and the Fund aims to announce the first successful applicants in the Autumn of this year.