Pride in Place programme to invest £5bn in reviving public spaces

The government has revealed plans to invest £5bn in revitalising parks, public spaces and high streets in 339 “overlooked” communities across the UK. The new Pride in Place programme will see 169 areas get £2m every year for a decade, while a further 95 places will get a one-off payment of £1.5m. The money includes spending announced earlier this year, which saw £1.5bn pledged to 75 of the “most deprived” areas in the UK.

In each case, the way the money will be invested can be decided by the communities themselves.

“Local people will decide how funding is spent – reviving high streets, restoring parks and breathing new life into leisure centres,” the government said in a statement announcing the funding.

“This is renewal in action, led by the people who know their neighbourhoods best.”

The announcement is part of the government’s Plan for Change, a 10-year mission to “back the people who make their communities thrive”.

Announcing the funding, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “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.”

The funding has been welcomed Play England.