§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made following the work and recommendations of the Coalfields Task Force especially in the coalfield communities of South Yorkshire. [HL4289]
§ Lord WhittyOn 1 December 1998 at the second national Coalfields Conference in Peterlee, County Durham, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a 10-year programme to regenerate coalfield communities with an investment package of £354 million over three years. A fuller breakdown of this investment and further steps to be taken are set out inMaking the Difference—A new Start for England's Coalfield 34WA Communities: The Government's Response to the Coalfields Task Force Report.
A further report entitled Making the Difference—A new Start for England's Coalfield Communities: The Coalfields Task Force Report—A Progress Report by the Government was published by the Deputy Prime Minister at the third national Coalfields Conference in Wigan on 18 October. This report sets out progress on delivery of the recommendations of the Coalfields Task Force. Copies of both these documents have been placed in the Library of the House.
Substantial progress has already been made in all coalfields areas, including South Yorkshire, following on from the work and recommendations of the Coalfields Task Force. The Government are determined to maintain that momentum.
§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
To what extent the coalfield communities, particularly in South Yorkshire, have benefited from the European Single Regeneration Budget. [HL4290]
§ Lord WhittyThe Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) provides resources to support regeneration initiatives in England carried out by local partnerships. Its priority is to enhance the quality of life of local people in areas of need by reducing the gap between deprived and other areas, and between different groups.
To date, a total of over £665 million has been allocated to SRB schemes (Rounds 1–5) in the coalfield areas. In South Yorkshire, the following schemes have benefited from the SRB funding:
Name of schemes SRB funding (lifetime) £ million Rotherham: Shaping Rotherham's Future 14.387 Doncaster: Stainforth Estate Action 5.349 Barnsley: Developing Stronger Communities 46.275 Doncaster: Going for Growth 19.612 Rotherham: Eastwood/Oakhill Challenge 12.2 Dearne Valley: Building on Achievement 3.101 Doncaster: Northern Corridor 14.163 Rotherham: Young People Sharing Rotherham 7.68 Rotherham: New York Riverside 5.72 Dearne Valley: Opportunities for All 1.611 Helping Communities Build a Better Future 16.5 Total 146.598