§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
What support they are giving or plan to give to the local authorities in the Hull area to help with the improvement of quality of life there. [HL4592]
§ The Minister of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Lord Rooker)The Government are providing support to local authorities in the Hull area in a number of key areas. On housing, major repairs allowance for the maintenance of council housing of over £16.5 million has been provided for 2003–04 in Hull. On neighbourhood renewal, NRF funding for Hull between 2001 and 2006 amounts to £31.8 million.
In April 2000 the Government granted £55 million over a 10-year period to the Preston Road NDC (New Deal for Communities) programme. The programme aims to deliver economic prosperity, safer communities, 80WA high quality education, decent housing and better health to the area and is contributing to the quality of life for residents in East Hull.
More generally the Government are working closely with Kingston-upon-Hull City Council, through an appointed lead official, to support improvement in the performance of the council and in the services it provides.