HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc75-6W
Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many local authorities have benefited from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, setting out the(a)amount and (b)the purpose of each award. [46599]

Ms Keeble

The Neighbourhood Renewal Fund was launched in 2001–02 to provide additional resources for local authorities to improve mainstream services in the most deprived areas, including contributing to the achievement of the floor targets to narrow the gap between deprived areas and the rest of the country. The fund provides £900 million over three years to the 88 most deprived districts in England.

£200 million of funding was allocated for 2001–02. The purpose of the funding and individual allocations are set out in Special Grant Report No. 78, copies of which are available in the Library. £300 million of funding is being allocated for 2002–03. The updated purpose, allocations and conditions applying to the fund in 2002–03 are set out in Special Grant Report No. 93, which was approved on the floor of the House of Commons on 13 March. Copies of Report No. 93 have also been placed in the Library.

Mr. Don Foster

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what progress there has been towards the baseline assessment of the number of dwellings and the number and location of wards affected and at risk from low demand and unpopular housing, announced in the Social Exclusion Unit's National Strategy Action Plan for Neighbourhood Renewal. [46602]

Ms Keeble

As from April 2001, the annual Housing Investment Programme has included local authorities' assessment of low demand in their district. This has provided a baseline assessment of the number of dwellings affected by low demand and unpopular housing.

In summer 2001, the DTLR commissioned Oxford university to explore the feasibility of local authorities and other holders of housing data assembling data at ward level that will help establish the number and location of wards affected and at risk from low demand. This work will also inform future development of the Housing Domain of the Index of Deprivation 2000. The project is due to report in late 2002.

In addition, the English House Condition Survey 2001 will provide a valuer's professional assessment of housing demand, which will provide a more objective, national baseline. Data from the English House Condition Survey 2001 will be available in early 2003.