Written question asked by Angela C Smith (Labour) on Thursday, 7 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 December 2006. It was answered by Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 December 2006 on behalf of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Social Exclusion

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what assessment she has made of the impact of the Government’s policies on poverty and social exclusion in Sheffield since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Sheffield is the key economic driver for South Yorkshire. The Government have supported Sheffield through targeted funding for the regeneration of the city centre and through programmes such as new deal for communities (NDC) and neighbourhood renewal fund (NRF). This has had a significant impact. Between November 1997 and November 2006 the total unemployment claimant count dropped by 48 per cent. with the number of long term claimants falling by 77 per cent. The number of long term youth claimants fell by 93 per cent.

Secondary information