HC Deb 12 February 2002 vol 380 c297W
Mr. Hepburn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to encourage people to take part in volunteering activity. [34562]

Angela Eagle

The Government have set themselves a target of making I million more people active in their communities by 2004. The active community unit has made significant investment in projects and initiatives aimed at encouraging people to take part in voluntary activity and making it easier for them to do so. Timebank, the Community Channel, Do-It and other initiatives have been established in partnership with media organisations. We are investing £19 million in the experience corps. Mentoring projects have been established with funding announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer in January 2001.