§ Mr. KilfoyleTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent measures he has taken to encourage social inclusion in the regions of England. [145214]
§ Ms ArmstrongI have been asked to reply.
306WI refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 16 January 2001, Official Report, column 183W, given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick). The Government are committed to tackling deprivation and the needs of disadvantaged communities through the national strategy for neighbourhood renewal action plan, launched on 15 January 2001. This aims to narrow the gap between deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of the country and to ensure that within 10 to 20 years no-one is seriously disadvantaged by where they live. The neighbourhood renewal unit, which is being established in DETR, will lead on implementing the action plan. It will work closely with new neighbourhood renewal teams in the Government Offices in the Regions.