Scotland is set to benefit from a £200 million boost as part of a £1.5 billion UK Government initiative aimed at restoring pride in neighbourhoods and fostering local growth.
The funding is designed to rejuvenate high streets, parks, youth clubs, cultural venues, libraries, and health services, breathing new life into communities across the country.
Seventy-five areas across the UK will receive up to £20 million each over the next decade, supporting vital services and tackling issues such as crime, unemployment, and lack of amenities.
A new network of neighbourhood boards will be established to give local people and businesses a say in how the funds are spent, ensuring that the investment meets the specific needs of each area.
This move forms part of the UK Government’s broader Plan for Change, which aims to deliver long-term economic renewal, enhance public services, and empower local communities.
In Scotland, ten areas will each receive up to £20 million in funding, with projects focusing on economic regeneration and improving quality of life.
The selected areas include Arbroath, Elgin, Orkney Islands, Peterhead, Dumfries, Irvine, Kilmarnock, Clydebank, Coatbridge, and Greenock.
Communities will have the flexibility to invest in projects such as high street improvements, community grocery schemes, co-operatives, and crime reduction initiatives.
The initiative marks a shift towards greater local control, with decisions made by those who understand their communities best.
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, emphasised the government’s commitment to reversing decades of underinvestment in local areas.
She stated that communities across the UK possess a wealth of cultural and historical assets but need proper investment to unlock their full potential.
Rayner highlighted that this plan places decision-making power directly into the hands of local people, ensuring funding is used effectively where it is most needed.
Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris, reinforced the government’s mission to empower communities to shape their own futures.
He stressed that thriving local neighbourhoods contribute to a stronger national economy, and this investment will help rebuild struggling areas from the ground up.
He also pointed to wider government reforms in planning, workers’ rights, and devolution as complementary measures to support local growth.
Each neighbourhood board will bring together residents, business owners, and community leaders to create a vision for their area, shaping a long-term plan for development.
The Plan for Neighbourhoods is designed to provide sustained and meaningful change, ensuring that investment leads to lasting improvements.
This latest initiative builds on the government’s broader strategy to break down barriers to opportunity and kickstart economic revival across the country.
By restoring local pride, strengthening communities, and boosting local economies, the government aims to create a future where every part of the UK can flourish.
