Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Monday, 13 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 11 October 2004. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 11 October 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what criteria are used to assess areas for regional development grants.

Answer: Mr. Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what criteria are used to assess areas for regional development grants. [189230] Jacqui Smith: The current Assisted Areas map was agreed with the European Commission in 2000, in accordance with the Regional Aid Guidelines and remains in force until 2006. It cannot be amended during that period without the agreement of the Commission. The map identifies areas of acute labour market need and business opportunity, according to broad criteria established by the Commission. The UK map agreed in 2000 was constructed from electoral wards identified on the basis of four separate criteria: `residence-based' (International Labour Office--ILO) and `workplace- based' (Claimant Count) unemployment rates; manufacturing share of employment; and employment rates. These indicators were calculated from a series of ward--level information drawn from the 1991 Census, and the 1998 Labour Force Survey, Annual Survey of Employment and Claimant Count unemployment.

Secondary information