Starmer announces £5 billion in funding for ‘true patriots’ to revive the UK
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a £5 billion Pride in Place programme aimed at ‘true patriots’ who will lead the revival of their communities.
As part of the fund, 169 areas will receive £2 million every year for a decade, giving long-overlooked communities the certainty and control they need to plan for the future. A further 95 areas will receive an immediate £1.5 million to upgrade public spaces with new green spaces, play areas and sports and leisure facilities.
From Bootle to Bridgwater, local people will decide how funding is spent — reviving high streets, restoring parks, and breathing new life into pubs, leisure centres and community halls. This is renewal in action, led by the people who know their neighbourhoods best.
Communities will also gain new powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses, and buy beloved local assets before they close – restoring pride and unity to every corner of the country.
“For too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now,” said Starmer.
“We’re investing in the UK’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it’s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.
“This is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it’s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best – the people with real skin in the game.”
Funding split
The up to £5 billion package includes an additional £3.5 billion to roll out the programme to 169 more areas, each receiving up to £20 million over ten years.
Separately, 95 areas receive a share of £150 million capital funding to improve public spaces, parks and high streets.
- In Eston, residents have held a conference for local businesses, schoolchildren, police, sports clubs, and schools to decide how to spend the cash.
- In Elgin, more than 1,000 ideas have been submitted, including tackling empty shops and revamping the town shopping centre.
- In Clifton, Nottingham, a local pastor is working to save community groups following violent disorder last summer, while playing fields and high streets are being regenerated.
- In Blyth, residents are putting on a cultural festival, investing in vacant properties, and supporting local businesses.
- In Peterhead, people are ramping up CCTV to tackle anti-social behaviour and investing in indoor sports and leisure facilities.
- Torbay is collating ideas, including funding an Agatha Christie heritage trail.
- In Newark-on-Trent, the Upper Floor Unit conversion scheme will turn vacant town centre units into housing.
- In Hastings, park runners are being enlisted for views on how to make their community better.
- In Ramsgate, more than 1,000 residents and business owners have given their ideas in an online survey.
- In Scunthorpe, residents are working with voluntary groups to reach young people in deprived areas.
