Eric Pickles officially launches £5m Near Neighbours programme.

Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government,has formally launched the Near Neighbours programme at a special event at St John’s Church, Bethnal Green. The event was attended by national faith representatives including the Bishop of London, the Rt Rev. Richard Chartres.

Here you can listen to the launch event, including contributions from Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP, Rt Revd Dr Richard Chartres, Chair of Near Neighbours Baroness Margaret Eaton, the Rector of St John's Revd Prebendary Alan Green, Mr Ramesh Pattni from the Hindu Christian Forum, Co-Ordinator of Eastern London Near Neighbours Revd Tim Clapton and the recipient of one of Near Neighbours' first grants - Fulma Begum of the DIVA women’s group in Bethnal Green.