HC Deb 20 January 2004 vol 416 c1204W
Mr. David Drew

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the operation of the Supporting People programme. [149083]

Yvette Cooper

The Supporting People programme which went live on 1 April 2003 provides housing related support services for more than 1 million vulnerable people—including the homeless, women fleeing domestic violence and older people—to live independently in their accommodation.

The programme introduced an integrated planning and funding framework for housing related support services.

Mr. Drew

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on funding for the Supporting People programme in its first year of operation; and what its estimated budget is for the next two years. [149084]

Yvette Cooper

Last October, the Government issued a written statement in the Houses of Parliament announcing funding of £1.8 billion for the first year of the Supporting People programme in England.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister will be making an announcement about 2004–05 funding shortly.

An announcement for 2005–06 funding will be made in the summer.