Working Neighbourhoods Fund

Mr. Sanders
13. To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what changes to the Working Neighbourhoods Fund will be introduced as a result of the recent consultation on the revision of eligibility criteria for local authorities.

Hazel Blears
The changes are that the third criterion is revised to make use of the most up-to-date population estimates, and that the cut-off point is extended from 40 to 50 authorities. This enables us to maintain in broad terms the number of authorities who qualify for Working Neighbourhood Fund.