Social Exclusion (Internet) (Hansard, 2 May 2000)

§ Ms Hewitt

Following the Social Exclusion Unit's (SEU) 1998 report on deprived neighbourhoods, 18 high level action teams were set up to help devise a new national strategy for neighbourhood renewal. Their main conclusions have now been drawn together in a framework document for consultation (available on the SEU's website: www.cabinet-office.gov.uk/seu).

The report identifies that business has a crucial role and much to contribute in helping to turn around deprived neighbourhoods. It also points out that businesses need recognition and encouragement to become actively involved in projects which aim, for example, to raise education standards, improve health, tackle crime, and help to build communities in deprived areas. The Government are keen to see an increase in the number and range of businesses, including internet businesses, which are actively engaged in addressing the problems of deprived neighbourhoods. The consultation paper seeks views on what the Government could do to encourage business engagement in the community.

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There are, however, a number of initiatives already under way. In particular, the DTI has: Established a Ministerial Champion for Corporate Social Responsibility, to improve Whitehall understanding of what this means and how it can best work. This role has been added to the portfolio of the Minister for Consumer and Corporate Affairs in DTI; Sponsored the Business in The Community Examples of Excellence Awards, which highlight outstanding achievements in the field of CSR; Sponsored a project on 'Innovation Through Partnership'. This project will analyse how through engagement in partnerships with the voluntary and public sector, businesses can become more innovative organisations; Undertaken a project to identify the benefits to businesses from forming a relationship with a local school or college; and Examined the intangible assets of business including the role of ethics in contributing to value creation in companies of all sizes; Committed itself to providing enhanced business support for the disadvantaged through the Small Business Service; the Business Volunteer Mentors Association; and the Community Finance Initiative Challenge. Working with Business in the Community's 'community' programme to engage business in supporting the community's use of information and communication technologies (ICTs).