Supporting People Scheme

Mr. Burstow
To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps his Department is taking to ensure the continued operation of Handy Person schemes after 1 April 2010.

Mr. Ian Austin
CLG will provide £17 million dedicated funding for handypersons services, via a separate named grant, in 2010-11. This will be the second year of a two year programme to build capacity in the sector, announced in the Government’s housing strategy for an ageing society, Lifetime homes, lifetime neighbourhoods.