£20 Million Funding for 40 English Communities

Communities Secretary Steve Reed announced £20 million in funding on Friday for 40 communities across England as part of the government's Pride in Place programme, aimed at revitalising local neighbourhoods and reversing the decline of town centres.

The initiative, which allocates the funds over the next decade, empowers local residents to decide how the money is spent through independent community boards chaired by non-politicians. Reed made the announcement during a visit to a church in Slough, one of the beneficiary areas. He emphasised that the programme allows communities to address their specific needs, such as building playgrounds, community centres or high street improvements.

"This is a rolling programme that Labour introduced as soon as we won the general election," Reed told reporters. "What we're trying to do is give those areas that were held back the most under the Conservatives the chance to make a difference on their own terms, to put pride back into those communities." He added that the funding structure ensures "it's not politicians like me who will take the decisions," but rather local people engaging through community boards.