# = pounds sterling

HM Treasury News Release
206/98                                      7 December 1998
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            MINISTERS TO NETWORK ON SOCIAL EXCLUSION

An expanded Network of Ministers to tackle social exclusion was
welcomed today by the newly appointed Chair, the Chief Secretary
to the Treasury, Stephen Byers on the first anniversary of the
establishment of the Social Exclusion Unit (SEU).

The Network will be made up of Ministers who work closely with
SEU and they will act as champions to help guide and present its
work.  It will now include Ministers from Scotland, Wales and
Northern Ireland.

Mr Byers said:

     "If we are to achieve our aim of creating a modern Britain
     and a decent society there must be no forgotten people. 
     That is why tackling social exclusion is a priority for the
     government.

     "In it's first year the Social Exclusion Unit has made good
     progress and action is now being taken to cut school
     exclusions and truancy; reduce rough sleeping and tackle
     the problems faced by poor neighbourhoods.

     "We have established a new way of working across Whitehall. 
     By breaking down the traditional departmental barriers we
     have been able to respond in a more positive and practical
     way to the needs of individuals and communities.

     "The Unit is a vital part of our programme to modernise
     government.  Providing joined up solutions to deep seated
     problems is a key aspect of democratic renewal".




NOTES TO EDITORS

1.   The membership of the Ministerial Network on Social
     Exclusion was announced today in a written answer from the
     Prime Minister to Robin Corbett MP. It is:

     Stephen Byers           	  HM Treasury (Chair)
     Hilary Armstrong             Department of Environment,
                                  Transport and the Regions
     Paul Boateng           	  Home Office
     John Denham            	  Department of Social Security
     Lord Falconer           	  Cabinet Office
     Peter Hain                   Welsh Office
     Tessa Jowell           	  Department of Health
     Geoffrey Robinson            HM Treasury
     Barbara Roche                Department of Trade and Industry
     Lord Sewel of Gilcomstoun    Scottish Office
     John McFall                  Northern Ireland Office
     Andrew Smith          	  Department for Education and Employment

2.   The Social Exclusion Unit was set up by the Prime Minister
     in December 1997, and is staffed by a mixture of outside
     experts and civil servants. They come from a number of
     Government departments and from organisations with
     experience of tackling social exclusion - the probation
     service, housing, police, local authorities, the voluntary
     sector and business. The Unit has a remit to produce
     'joined up solutions to joined up problems'. It is tasked
     with analysing the web of problems that make up social
     exclusion, and then improving the mechanisms to prevent
     them happening.

3.   The Unit forms part of the Cabinet Office, and reports
     directly to the Prime Minister. It works closely with the
     No 10 Policy Unit and policy officials across Whitehall. It
     does not cover issues which are dealt with by one
     Government department, or duplicate work being done
     elsewhere.

4.   If you have access to the Internet, you can find this news
     release and other Treasury information at 
     http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk