§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Prime Minister if he will set out the Social Exclusion Unit's current priorities. [136912]
§ The Prime MinisterFollowing an extensive consultation exercise over the summer, and the outcome of the spending review, the unit will be publishing shortly an action plan setting out how the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal will be delivered.
The unit is also continuing to monitor implementation of its reports on truancy and school exclusion, rough sleeping, teenage pregnancy and 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training.
In addition, I have asked the unit to work with other Government Departments to explore how we might cut rates of re-offending by ex-prisoners.
The SEU will look at how to boost the rate of employment and reduce the level of homelessness among ex-prisoners. It will also consider whether more effective supervision after release might help to reduce the current high levels of re-offending.
I have asked the SEU to report to me by spring 2001.
I will make a further statement on the unit's future work programme shortly.