§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding his Department will be providing(a) in 2003–04 and (b) in future years to the Midnight Basketball Scheme run by the National Playing Fields Association; and if he will make a statement. [100328]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 3 March 2003]: Midnight Basketball has received funding locally in recent years from the Communities Against Drugs fund, the Children's Fund, from the Youth Justice Board and from Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships. Local partnerships are currently at the point of developing their funding plans for next year and it is open to them to provide funding for Midnight Basketball from Home Office funding streams, for example for the purposes of reducing youth crime, antisocial behaviour or substance misuse. Midnight Basketball is, therefore, unlikely to receive central Home Office funding.
In addition, from May this year, there will be a new single programme of positive activities for young people to provide year round out of school activities for eight to 19-year-olds. This will deliver activities to more young people than in previous years, providing support for those most at risk. It will be open to schemes such as Midnight Basketball to bid to provide diversionary, activities for young people as part of this programme.