1 Introduction
1. This report examines aspects of the Government's
Supporting People Programme, which began in April 2003. The programme
was independently reviewed by Eugene Sullivan of RSM Robson Rhodes
less than one year after its launch. This review, coupled with
some concerns expressed by the Hanover Housing Group, resulted
in the Urban Affairs Sub-Committee announcing an evidence session
in February 2004, with a view to exploring the following issues:
- The reasons behind the commissioning
of a review less than one year after the programme had been launched;
- The effects of capital and revenue funding streams
operating in silos;
- The allocation of funding to Home Improvement
Agencies,
- The significance of the transfer of administrative
responsibility for the programme within ODPM
2. On 30 March 2004, the Committee took oral evidence
from the National Housing Federation, Foundations, Hanover Housing
Association, London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, Women's
Aid Federation of England, Derbyshire County Council and Yvette
Cooper MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at ODPM. Supplementary
written evidence was also supplied by the National Housing Federation,
Foundations and Hanover Housing Association.
3. Since the March 2004 oral evidence session, things
have of course moved on, in reaction to the Robson Rhodes report
and in preparation for the 2004 Spending Review. In this report,
we reflect the findings of the Review report and look ahead to
the future of the programme.
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