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Plan to tackle city deprivation Plan to tackle city deprivation
(about 6 hours later)
A multi-million pound plan to tackle social deprivation in Swansea is being unveiled by the assembly government.A multi-million pound plan to tackle social deprivation in Swansea is being unveiled by the assembly government.
Wages are below the UK average, and in some city centre areas more than half of pupils qualify for free school meals and 80% have special education needs.Wages are below the UK average, and in some city centre areas more than half of pupils qualify for free school meals and 80% have special education needs.
The city is being made a strategic regeneration area (SRA) to target its social and economic problems.The city is being made a strategic regeneration area (SRA) to target its social and economic problems.
Council leaders say it will complement a £1bn blueprint to redevelop the city centre.Council leaders say it will complement a £1bn blueprint to redevelop the city centre.
The Welsh Assembly Government said "tens of millions" of pounds were expected to be spent over 10 to 15 years, although exact figures had to be worked out with partners.
Deputy minister for regeneration Leighton Andrews said the "highly targeted and co-ordinated approach" by the assembly government and city council would mean money was more effectively spent in the future.Deputy minister for regeneration Leighton Andrews said the "highly targeted and co-ordinated approach" by the assembly government and city council would mean money was more effectively spent in the future.
An action plan will be drawn up to address economic inactivity, increase job opportunities and provide targeted training.An action plan will be drawn up to address economic inactivity, increase job opportunities and provide targeted training.
It will also create affordable housing in the city centre, reduce levels of deprivation and tackle urban dereliction at the heart of the city.It will also create affordable housing in the city centre, reduce levels of deprivation and tackle urban dereliction at the heart of the city.
Mr Andrews said a "substantial budget anticipated to run into tens of millions of pounds" would be allocated. Mr Andrews said the exact amount of money involved and over what time frame would be discussed at future meetings.
But he added it would be a "substantial budget anticipated to run into tens of millions of pounds."
DEPRIVATION IN SWANSEA Take up of free school meals is well above the Wales average of 17%, peaking at over 50% in the city centreSpecial educational needs peak at over 80% in the SRA area compared with a city average of around 21%15.6% of the population has no qualificationsIncapacity benefit and severe disability allowance claimant rates are higher than both the Wales and the GB averages. Average earnings were 79% of the UK average in 2008.Source: Welsh Assembly GovernmentDEPRIVATION IN SWANSEA Take up of free school meals is well above the Wales average of 17%, peaking at over 50% in the city centreSpecial educational needs peak at over 80% in the SRA area compared with a city average of around 21%15.6% of the population has no qualificationsIncapacity benefit and severe disability allowance claimant rates are higher than both the Wales and the GB averages. Average earnings were 79% of the UK average in 2008.Source: Welsh Assembly Government
"The SRA proposals for Swansea are designed to address key social issues while also capitalising on the abundant opportunities that exist within and around the city," he said."The SRA proposals for Swansea are designed to address key social issues while also capitalising on the abundant opportunities that exist within and around the city," he said.
"The regeneration of Swansea will require a range of integrated interventions which will be mainly directed at the centre of the city where there is potential for greatest impact, working with communities to create business and educational opportunities.""The regeneration of Swansea will require a range of integrated interventions which will be mainly directed at the centre of the city where there is potential for greatest impact, working with communities to create business and educational opportunities."
The city centre master plan unveiled in 2007 aims to attract more than £1bn of new investment and create 9,000 extra jobs in the next 10 to 15 years.The city centre master plan unveiled in 2007 aims to attract more than £1bn of new investment and create 9,000 extra jobs in the next 10 to 15 years.
Swansea council leader Chris Holley said: "This is terrific news for Swansea and will complement £1bn plans to regenerate several key sites in the city centre and on the waterfront.Swansea council leader Chris Holley said: "This is terrific news for Swansea and will complement £1bn plans to regenerate several key sites in the city centre and on the waterfront.
"It will help further drive investment and is another hugely encouraging announcement for the city in a time of economic uncertainty across the country.""It will help further drive investment and is another hugely encouraging announcement for the city in a time of economic uncertainty across the country."
He said joint projects with WAG had already seen major investment in the SA1 docklands and almost £4m environmental upgrade of the city centre.He said joint projects with WAG had already seen major investment in the SA1 docklands and almost £4m environmental upgrade of the city centre.
SRAs are being established in areas of greatest need in Wales having first been used in the Heads of the Valley.SRAs are being established in areas of greatest need in Wales having first been used in the Heads of the Valley.