§ Mr. BaileyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of funding for health action zones will be in financial years(a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04. [21989]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 12 December 2001]: The total health action zone budget for 2002–03 is £51.586 million, an increase of 2.5 per cent. on the last financial year. Of this £43.625 million is for programme and development funding and £7.078 million for specific innovation fund and employment pilot work, with the balance held for central support work. In addition HAZs will receive £10 million for national health service smoking cessation services and health authorities in HAZ areas will receive £111 million of the £148 million health inequalities adjustment funding. Decisions on funding for 2003–04 will be made as part of the Department's work on the 2002 spending review.