HC Deb 28 November 2001 vol 375 c900W
20. Mr. Ben Chapman

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the social exclusion unit. [15992]

Mrs. Roche

The Social Exclusion Unit was set up by the Prime Minister to provide joined-up solutions to specific social exclusion problems. It delivers long-term strategies for change but has already demonstrated the effectiveness of its approach.

The unit has produced reports on five main areas:

  • 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training;
  • teenage pregnancy;
  • rough sleeping;
  • truancy and school exclusions; and
  • a national strategy for neighbourhood renewal.

The unit is currently working on four projects, looking at:

  • re-offending by ex-prisoners;
  • young runaways;
  • educational attainment of children in care; and
  • transport and social exclusion.