§ Mr. Edward DaveyTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the work of the Active Community Unit; and what its budget is for each financial year from 2001–02 to 2005–06. [152915]
§ Fiona MactaggartI have been asked to reply.
The Government's commitment to engaging with communities to strengthen civil society and build civil renewal has been reflected in the work of what is now the Active Communities Directorate in the Home Office. Last year, the work of the Active Community Unit was expanded to incorporate a Charities Unit and a Civil Renewal Unit. Through the new Active Communities Directorate, the Home Office aims to build strong, thriving communities where everyone, regardless of age, race or social background has a stake in society.
A vibrant voluntary and community sector is central to delivering this vision. The Government's commitment to work with the sector is set out in the Compact and has been underpinned through recent spending reviews. From 2001 to 2006, an extra £155 million is being invested in supporting volunteering. From 2003 to 2006, an extra £218 million is being invested in strengthening the sector's ability to deliver high quality and effective services. This includes the £125 million futurebuilders programme, which is being distributed by an independent provider under contract to the Home Office. These additional investments are mainly programme spending received by the voluntary and community sector and volunteering initiatives.
The overall budget for the work on Active Communities for each financial year from 2001–02 to 2005–06, rounded to the nearest million pounds, is as follows:
1356W
£ million Core funds Spending review commitments Futurebuilders fund 2001–02 21 25 — 2002–03 22 35 — 2003–04 21 60 10 2004–05 21 63 57 2005–06 21 65 58