Neighbours and families across the UK will take the lead in rebuilding their communities as Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveils the £5 billion Pride in Place programme, a decade-long investment aimed at reversing decline and restoring local pride.
Transforming Communities with Long-Term Support
The Pride in Place programme directs funding to 169 areas, each receiving £20 million over ten years, while a further 95 areas will gain £1.5 million in immediate investment. This long-term certainty allows towns to plan for the future, regenerate high streets, and restore cherished public spaces.
Residents will also gain new powers to reclaim boarded-up shops, block disruptive businesses, and secure beloved local assets before they are lost. The initiative seeks to put decision-making into the hands of local people, ensuring projects reflect community priorities rather than central mandates.
A Plan for Change in Action
The investment is part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to empower communities, strengthen neighbourhood ties, and deliver cleaner, safer, and more resilient streets. Ministers describe it as a “patriotic renewal” rooted in the belief that those who live in an area know best how to improve it.
“We’re investing in the UK’s future by backing the true patriots that build our communities up,” said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“This is our Plan for Change in action—giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great.”
Funding Commitments at a Glance
| Funding Stream | Amount | Beneficiaries | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 169 priority areas | £20m each over 10 years | Towns and communities across the UK | Long-term regeneration and local projects |
| 95 immediate projects | £1.5m each | Local councils and neighbourhood boards | Upgrading public spaces, parks, and high streets |
| Expanded Pride in Place rollout | £3.5bn additional funding | 169 new areas | Community renewal and asset protection |
| Impact Fund | £150m | 95 locations | Capital improvements to neighbourhood infrastructure |
Local Voices Driving Change
Examples from across the country illustrate how communities are shaping renewal:
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Eston: Businesses, schools, and voluntary groups are meeting to decide spending priorities.
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Elgin: Over 1,000 ideas submitted, including shopping centre upgrades.
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Clifton, Nottingham: Regeneration of playing fields and local services after violent disorder.
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Blyth: Funding for cultural festivals and support for small businesses.
These examples show how the programme is designed to adapt to local needs, giving residents genuine influence over how funds are used.
Backing from Across Government
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Steve Reed emphasised the people-focused approach:
“Building pride in place starts with people, not politics. Local people know what they want to see in their neighbourhoods—and they don’t need government to dictate it.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves framed the programme as both an economic and social investment:
“This £5 billion investment doesn’t just reverse decades of underinvestment. It cuts bureaucracy and puts communities in control of the change they want to see.”
Building Unity and National Renewal
The programme links directly to wider government commitments, including the English Devolution White Paper and a £69 billion local government funding settlement. Together, these reforms aim to reverse decades of centralisation, tackle decline, and foster unity over division.
Through neighbourhood boards, councils, and grassroots participation, the initiative promises more than upgraded parks and high streets. It is a movement to strengthen civic trust, narrow divides, and inspire lasting pride in place.
In Conclusion
The Pride in Place programme represents one of the largest investments in local empowerment in decades. With funding certainty, devolved powers, and community-led decision-making, the plan seeks to restore pride street by street and build a future rooted in local leadership.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
