The government have announced that 244 neighbourhoods will receive £20 million in funding, and churches and individuals could have a say in how this money is spent.
In September the government announced their Pride in Place programme, wherein 244 “left behind neighbourhoods” in England, Scotland and Wales would each receive up to £20 million in funding across ten years to invest in local communities and tackle deprivation.
By investing in public and community spaces as well as high street and town centre revitalisation, the Pride in Place programme aims to create stronger, thriving communities, creating social capital and trust within neighbourhoods, which is linked to higher productivity and better socio-economic outcomes. Currently, polling reveals that 81% of people believe that British society is at least “fairly divided”, and this funding is an opportunity to change this.
As Christians, we want to see our neighbourhoods become places that reflect God’s vision for us to live in harmony with one another, and we should be encouraged by the funding that could help build thriving communities who care for one another. Churches and Christian organisations already play an integral role in local neighbourhoods, providing poverty relief and creating spaces that foster connection and cohesion. These shared goals between churches and government allow for an opportunity for Christians and the government to work together on bettering our neighbourhoods.
Take action and engage in a Pride in Place consultation near you
The Pride in Place programme is an expansion of the of the previous Conservative government’s plan, which identified an original 75 areas for investment, and this Labour government is now adding a further 169 neighbourhoods. The Pride in Place programme aims to be community-led, where Neighbourhood Boards, which are made up of local individuals, will decide the allocation of the £20 million.
"When the decline in pride in place so often stems from a ‘we know best’ attitude from those at the top, the answer must be to put communities in control."
parliamentary under-secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
parliamentary under-secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
The government encourages diverse and inclusive membership of these boards, with leaders and organisers from groups such as local charities, faith groups or community groups, key local employers and those from local schools and healthcare providers encouraged to join.
We believe church leaders and congregants would make suitable candidates to be on Neighbourhood Boards, so we encourage you to get involved. You can do this by getting in touch with your local council or MP to find out about how Neighbourhood Boards are being formed, which are to be finalised by July 2026.
Members in North Durham should engage with Luke Akehurst MP’s consultation
Our Westminster team recently met with Luke Akehurst, MP for North Durham, to discuss the work of the Evangelical Alliance’s UK-wide advocacy team and the interests of evangelicals in his constituency. He shared that is running a local consultation and would welcome input from local churches, specifically in the Stanley-South area. To share your views, you will need to download the paper survey, and return the completed form to Mr Luke Akehurst, House of Commons, London SW1A 0AA.
"I welcome today’s announcement about major investment in transport infrastructure, but we need to recognise the limitations of that when it comes to deprived communities that are more isolated and away from major conurbations. Too often, big infrastructure projects benefit the core cities, not isolated towns and villages like those that make up North Durham."
Labour MP for North Durham
Labour MP for North Durham
Find out if your neighbourhood is one of the additional 169
Out of these 169 new neighbourhoods, 146 are in England and have been identified, and a further 14 are in Scotland and nine in Wales, which have not yet been announced. There will be corresponding funding made available to Northern Ireland. You can find the full list of England’s neighbourhoods now.
Here are four local authorities where more than one neighbourhood will receive funding:
- Birmingham: Hawkesley, Druids Heath, Glebe Farm, Kingstanding South East, Woodgate, Sparkbrook North, Fox Hollies, Nechells
- Liverpool: Speke East, Everton East, Norris Green East, Fairfield West & Newsham Park
- Manchester: Benchill South & Wythenshawe Central, Hapurhey South & Monsall, Clayton Vale, Gorton South
- Leeds: Middleton Park Avenue, Seacroft North & Monkswood, Farnley East, Armley & New Wortley
A £1.5 billion regeneration fund evangelicals should know about
The government sets out how national policy to bring communities together will be delivered through 75 local authorities across the UK Find out more
