§ 16. Mrs. EllmanTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps she is taking to monitor the impact of the work of the social exclusion unit in relation to tackling poverty. [144214]
§ Marjorie MowlamMy right hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office chairs the ministerial network on social exclusion which chases progress on implementation of the social exclusion unit's existing reports on specific aspects of social exclusion. Previous projects have been on truancy and school exclusion; rough sleeping; teenage pregnancy; new opportunities for 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment and training and poor neighbourhoods. These reports have all led to tangible change, both within Government and on the ground.
The unit underwent an external review in 1999 when its project-based approach and working methods were widely welcomed. The Prime Minister announced to Parliament in December 1999 that the SEU should continue its work and be reviewed again by the end of 2002.
Current projects
Indeed, on Monday this week, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Local Government and the Regions informed the House of the publication of the unit's latest report which set out the Government's "National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal: A New Commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal".
The new strategy has been developed in a response to previous social exclusion unit reports on the poverty suffered by residents of deprived areas and will be implemented by a new unit, based in DETR.
The social exclusion unit is currently working on a project to cut rates of reoffending by ex-prisoners and has been asked to report to the Prime Minister by spring 2001.