ODPM targets smaller pockets of poverty with renewal funds

Three areas are to receive neighbourhood renewal funding for the
first time following government efforts to target pockets of
deprivation in affluent areas, it was announced today,
writes Mithran Samuel.

North East Lincolnshire will receive over £9m, Norwich
almost £4m and Barnet £2m of neighbourhood renewal fund
(NRF) money between 2006 and 2008 to tackle poor health and
housing, unemployment and educational under-achievement.

The allocations are based on revised measures of deprivation,
announced last year, based on much smaller geographical areas,
enabling the ODPM to target pockets of poverty.

However, some areas have lost out on funding. Kensington and
Chelsea, Luton, Portsmouth and Southampton will receive no NRF
money from 2006, while Allerdale, Ashfield, Hyndburn, Kerrier,
Lincoln and Pendle will see their funding taper off between 2006
and 2008.

The funding – part of £1.05bn allocated to 86 areas
today – is dependent on local strategic partnerships
demonstrating their competence, which the Office of the Deputy
Prime Minister will assess in November.

More information from www.neighbourhood.gov.uk.