The online toolkit was designed for regional decision-makers and other people with responsibility for drawing up and implementing development plans within regions. It is part of a project which has benefited from core funding from the Information Society Technology Programme of the European Union’s Fifth Framework Programme. 

An extra six million pounds has been allocated to new energy-efficient schemes to heat homes, schools and other public buildings. The money is in addition to 22 million pounds already given to projects under the government’s Community Energy programme.The money will go to eight projects delivering community heating, helping to reduce energy bills and combat both greenhouse gases and fuel poverty. 

There are growing indications of a political consensus on the importance of tackling poverty and social disadvantage according to a new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.