§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister (1) what plans he has to extend the pathfinder projects on social housing to other areas of England; and if he will make a statement; [67440]
(2) what estimate he has made of the progress made in the nine pathfinder projects on social housing announced earlier this year; and if he will make a statement. [67439]
§ Mr. RaynsfordWe have invited nine areas to work with the Government to establish long-term pathfinder projects to tackle most acute instances of low demand for—importantly—both public and private housing. Low demand, which occurs mainly in the north of England with pockets in the Midlands, is not specific to either sector. We are making available £25 million from the Capital Modernisation Fund to assist the pathfinder projects in undertaking vital preparatory work.
We are not seeking to add to the already large number of pathfinder projects at the present time. Nonetheless, we want those local authorities not directly involved but who do experience low demand to have the opportunity to learn the lessons of this new approach. We are currently considering how best to share the knowledge that is gained.