To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made of the reduction of unemployment in inner cities.

The table shows the fall in unemployed claimants in the 57 local authority areas in England within which the Government target inner city programme aid. The sustained fall in unemployment in these areas is very encouraging and reflects the success of our action for cities package. My Department's programmes are continuing to equip unemployed inner city residents in Wolverhampton and elsewhere with the skills, confidence and motivation to compete for jobs.