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- £4.9bn to support independent living
£4.9bn to support independent living
| Published | 6 December 2007 |
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Communities Minister Baroness Andrews announced £4.9bn funding for the Supporting People programme over the next three years today. The funding will help over a million vulnerable people each year, including victims of domestic violence, teenage parents, older people and those with mental health problems - enabling them to live independently in their accommodation.
Supporting People is a major part of the Government's drive to tackle social exclusion, deliver social justice and support the third sector in delivering vital services. It supports over 800,000 older people, 40,000 single homeless people, 36,000 people with mental health problems, and 8,000 women at risk of domestic violence at any one time.
Under a major reform to improve the evidence for distributing the funding to councils, incorporating new up-to-date data and population predictions, the allocations are now based upon need rather than legacy, which is both fairer and a better use of public funds.
This first ever three year settlement for Supporting People, along side a radically slimmed down performance framework, which includes two performance indicators for housing support, will provide councils with a much greater level of certainty of funding, greater flexibility on spending and the ability to plan ahead and use money more effectively by entering longer term contracts to provide housing support services that will save money.
Baroness Andrews said:
"The funding announced today will allow councils to continue helping over a million vulnerable people each year to live independently and break the cycle of deprivation and exclusion.
"Improving the distribution based on need and providing greater certainty and flexibility will make this funding more effective.
"Success depends upon continued effective delivery by councils and voluntary groups, and I challenge them to do more to improve the quality of services, value for money and unlock efficiency gains to ensure this money really delivers"
Notes to Editors
1. Supporting People funding will total £1.686bn in 2008/2009, £1.666bn in 2009/2010 and £1.636bn in 2010/11. The skew of funding in favour of years one and two will give councils flexibility in budgeting ahead.
2. Indicative allocations are published today and are available here: www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/0809/specgrant/supporting people.xls (external link). A consultation refresh will run until 14 January 2008, final allocations will be announced shortly after.
3. Communities and Local Government will be working with local authorities to ensure that efficiencies are made in the programme each year.
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