§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the funds which are available to local authorities on application, indicating those for which the Torbay Unitary Authority has successfully applied in each of the last two years. [124194]
§ Mrs. RocheLocal authorities can claim the costs of accommodating and supporting asylum seekers plus an element of administrative costs. Prior to 1 April 1999, all grants were administered by the Department of Health. That Department retains responsibility for the payment of a special grant for the support of unaccompanied asylum seeking children.
From 1 April 1999 to 5 December 1999, costs to local authorities for adult asylum seekers were covered in a special grant report. From 6 December 1999 until 31 March 2000, these costs were covered by grant paid under the Asylum Support (Interim Provisions) Regulations 1999.
In addition, the costs incurred by local authorities in supporting Kosovan evacuees, who arrived as part of the Humanitarian Evacuation Programme, is being reimbursed under the terms of Special Grant Report (No. 49).
The Torbay Unitary Authority has not applied for any grants from the National Asylum Support Service or under the terms of the Kosovo Special Grant Report.
On 31 May 2000, we announced the introduction of a new race equality support grants programme—Connecting Communities—which will address racial disadvantage by helping marginalised minority ethnic communities at grass roots level. There are four support programme areas—Community Networks, Opportunity Schemes, Towards More Representative Services, and Positive Images.
Local authorities will be eligible to bid for funding under the new support programmes, which are expected to start in October 2000.