§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding was(a) available and (b) spent on "Pub is the Hub" schemes in each of the last four years. [119149]
§ Alun MichaelThere is not a specific "Pub is the Hub" scheme. A good practice guide of that title was published in December 2001 to inspire rural pubs to diversify their services. However, the Vital Villages Community Service Grant, administered by the Countryside Agency on behalf of Defra, can be used to fund "Pub is the Hub" style projects. Levels of funding for this type of project since April 2001, when Vital Villages was launched, were —9,048 for 2001–02 and —14,262 for 2002–03. In this financial year, —25,000 has been spent so far.