Keir Starmer backs UK’s ‘true patriots’ with investment for 264 areas – FULL LIST

Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled plans to pour £5billion into rebuilding deprived communities across the country that have been scarred by years of austerity

Hundreds of overlooked communities will be handed millions of pounds to revive downtrodden high streets, parks and public spaces – as Keir Starmer backed “true patriots” who care about their areas.

The Prime Minister today unveiled plans to pour £5billion into rebuilding deprived communities across the country that have been scarred by years of austerity. It will mean locals can decide how the money is best spent, from reviving empty shops and derelict pubs to creating new green spaces and sports facilities.

The levelling up-style blitz comes as Mr Starmer prepares for a pivotal Labour conference at the weekend, where he must convince jittery MPs of his plans to take on Reform UK. Breathing new life into high streets and community spaces is part of the Government’s plans to counter Nigel Farage’s narrative that Britain is broken.

The PM said: “For too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now.”

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In a swipe at Nigel Farage, Mr Starmer said: “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.”

He added: “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.

“We’re choosing renewal over decline, unity over division. This is our Plan for Change in action – giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great.”

Polling shared with the Mirror shows some 74% of people say investing in struggling towns and neighbourhoods benefits the whole country – including 72% of Reform voters.

The research by Public First, carried out from September 19-22, found that 76% think that £20million investment in their neighbourhood would make a real difference – with nearly half (47%) thinking it will make a noticeable difference – including 56% of Labour voters who think it would make a noticeable difference and 50% of Labour voters considering voting for Reform.

Under the plans, some 169 areas will receive £2 million a year for a decade, giving local people the power to decide how the money is best spent. And another 95 areas will receive an immediate £1.5 million to upgrade public spaces with new green spaces, play areas and sports and leisure facilities.

Work is already underway in further 75 areas which have been given cash already, including projects like regenerating sports fields in Nottingham, voluntary work with deprived young people in Scunthorpe, and creating a cultural festival in Blyth.

It comes after the Government said communities would be given powers to seize boarded-up shops, veto vape shops and fake barbers taking over high streets, and to save beloved local assets like pubs from closure.

Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “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.

“This plan will spark an historic grassroots movement that will restore local people’s power, boost national pride and help people get on in life across the UK as part of our Plan for Change.”

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Full list of areas to benefit:

Areas set to receive up to £20 million:

England

Local Authority