§ 18. Mr. Derek TwiggTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what measures the Government have taken to encourage participation in sport and the arts in areas of deprivation. [149404]
§ Mr. Chris SmithThe opportunity to participate in the arts, sport and other culture and leisure activities is vital to building a decent quality of life in areas of deprivation. Promoting participation among those who may not have had their fair share in the past is central to the work of my Department. We are ensuring a better deal from the lottery for deprived communities through simplified application procedures and more small grants. Recently I have been able to announce proposals to invest £580 million in sport for deprived areas, and that the initial programme of Sport Action Zones will be extended to other deprived areas. In addition to the creative partnerships initiative outlined today in the answer to the hon. Member for Southwark, North and Bermondsey (Mr. Hughes),Official Report, column 571, the National Foundation for Youth Music is working to provide opportunities for young people to make music in areas where least opportunity exists. We are also providing £130 million to provide space for sport and arts in primary schools in areas of multiple deprivation and we will be announcing details of the schools shortly.