Ministers publish Towns Fund shortlist

The government has published the list of 100 places that will be invited to develop proposals for its £3.6bn Town Deals programme.

The shortlist includes 42 places across the Northern Powerhouse and 33 places in the Midlands Engine, including Blackpool, Doncaster and Middlesbrough.

The government is expected to publish a prospectus soon to guide towns through the next stage of the process and set eligibility criteria for funding.

Decisions on funding any proposals will be made in due course.

Speaking earlier this week, chancellor Sajid Javid confirmed that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government’s latest financial settlement from the Treasury includes a total of £241m from the Towns Fund in 2020-21 to support the ‘regeneration of high streets, town centres and local economies’.

Announcing the shortlist, local government secretary, Robert Jenrick said: ‘Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities, is at the heart of the mission of this government.

‘We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture,’ added Mr Jenrick.

‘I will now work with local people from the 100 communities announced today to agree proposals to invest up to £25m in each place. I hope these deals will provide the investment and the impetus for long-term renewal ensuring each town can look to the future with a new optimism.’

Last month, the government increased the shortlist for the Future High Streets Fund to 100 places.

Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry added: ‘The best answers for local people will come from local people, that’s why we have listened to people living in these towns and will support them with a mega £3.6bn fund to drive jobs and economic growth.

‘Five years on from the launch of the Northern Powerhouse, we are reaffirming our commitment to the people of the North so they have the support they need to be at the leading edge of a confident, global Britain when we leave the EU on October 31.’

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