§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will commission a study by the Social Exclusion Unit into the impact of sexual dysfunction on social exclusion, with particular reference to those on low incomes with erectile dysfunction who are denied treatment on the NHS and cannot afford a private prescription. [123433]
§ Yvette CooperNo. The SEU currently has a full work programme and is working on three major projects:
- Improving the educational attainment of children in care;
- Tackling social exclusion among adults with mental health problems; and
- Removing barriers to jobs and enterprise in deprived areas.
The Social Exclusion Unit's remit is to help improve Government action to reduce social exclusion. It does this by looking in depth at particular policy areas and recommending joined up solutions to interconnected problems.
In addition the SEU is also carrying out work on Impact and Trends in social exclusion to develop a clearer understanding of how Government policies work together to tackle social exclusion for particular groups and to provide a comprehensive evidence base to inform current and future policy-making.
298WThe SEU's projects were chosen by my right hon. Friends the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister following consultation with other Ministers and suggestions from interested groups. Potential new projects are fully tested against a set of objective criteria which include assessing whether a potential new project area has a strong preventative focus; covers an issue currently falling between Government Departments, and will not duplicate work being done elsewhere.