9th
December 2004
£14.5
Million to Fight Poverty in Inverclyde
Greenock and Inverclyde is set to
benefit from new Scottish Executive funding aimed at fighting poverty in
Scotland, it has been announced.
A
3 year Community Regeneration Fund package worth £318 million has been
unveiled, with £14,643,000 earmarked for improving health and boosting
employment opportunities in the Inverclyde area.
Welcoming
the announcement, MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde, Duncan McNeil, said:
“Fighting
poverty is rightly at the top of my and the Parliament’s priority list and
this funding will help to increase employment opportunities in Inverclyde –
the best route out of poverty. It
will also be used to tackle the serious health inequalities which still exist in
the most deprived parts of our community.
“I
am hopeful that, together with the improved planning and service delivery which
Community Planning Partnerships can provide, this investment will be spent
wisely and effectively on building a stronger, safer Inverclyde.”
Communities
Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, said:
“Our
commitment and drive to break the cycle of deprivation across Scotland has never
been greater. I am proud of our
anti-poverty record to date, but recognise there is more work to do to ensure
opportunities for all. I'm confident this funding will provide even greater
impetus to regenerate communities and reduce poverty.”
Under
the scheme, Inverclyde will receive £5,381,000 in year 2005/6; £4,881,000 in
2006/07; and £4,381,000 2007/08, giving a 3-year total of £14,643,000.
Ten
new anti-poverty targets have also been unveiled by the Executive.
Among these is a specific target to reduce the number of workless people
dependent on state benefits in Inverclyde by 2007 and further by 2010.
ENDS
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