Prescott: "spreading prosperity"

Prescott Sets Out "Fresh Approach" To Inner Cities

He said the Government will carry out a comprehensive review of regeneration policies - launched ten years ago by former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to woo businesses and residents back to poorer districts. Mr Prescott signalled stronger links between Whitehall and local authorities and a fresh approach to the policy at a conference in London's Docklands.

While the Conservatives kept councils at arm's length during the re-building of derelict industrial areas, Labour plans to give more involvement to councillors in its schemes.

"The Government has pledged to join with local government in a concerted attack against the multiple causes of social and economic decline - unemployment, bad housing, crime, poor health and a degraded environment. I will tell you why we made that pledge. A nation is judged by the way it treats its weaker or disadvantaged citizens. This drive for fairness and spreading the benefits of prosperity will extend to every corner of Government policy and programmes," Mr Prescott said.

"Regeneration policies are a key part of our vision for a more equal society. If we are to promote employment and investment for sustained economic growth and at the same time enhance opportunity and fairness, we need to examine closely the effectiveness of all our programmes that contribute to regeneration in our towns and cities. I will, therefore, be undertaking a comprehensive review of regeneration policies," Mr Prescott announced.

Mr Prescott went on to explain that the policy did not stand alone but went alongside health, education, social services, housing and other programmes. This did not mean diverting cash wholesale to deprived urban areas, but meant making sure those programmes were flexible and sensitive enough to take sufficient account of the needs of communities in towns and cities.

According to Mr Prescott, programmes under the new-look regeneration policy would:

• cut down bureaucracy and respond to local priorities
• encourage more co-operation between local partners and Government
• entice international investment into inner cities