Commons Sense

House of Commons · General Debate

Plan for Neighbourhoods 2025-03-04

04 March 2025 · 46 other contributors

Opened by Alex Norris Lab Hull West and Connor

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Alex Norris raised concerns about plan for neighbourhoods 2025-03-04 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a 1.5 billion plan for 75 neighbourhoods in the UK to support growth and access to opportunity.
  • Each area will receive up to 20 million of funding over a decade to spend on interventions such as modernising social housing and community-led housing.
  • The plan doubles the policy activities that can be considered by neighbourhood boards and includes social housing representatives.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Alex Norris Lab Hull West and Connor

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government announced a £1.5 billion plan for neighbourhoods across the UK, aiming to support growth and access to opportunity in 75 places that have been undervalued and underestimated by previous governments. The plan doubles the policy activities that can be considered by neighbourhood boards, includes social housing representatives, and provides certainty of funding up to £20 million per place over a decade. Each area will receive £2 million annually to spend on interventions such as modernising social housing, community-led housing, skills support, cohesion, childcare, and more.

Other contributors (46)
  • David Simmonds Con Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner

    The shadow Minister acknowledged the history behind the statement but questioned how this limited project fits into a broader levelling-up ambition. He highlighted previous Government initiatives such as the £2.6 billion fund for regeneration and communities and the £1.5 billion long-term plan for tax, which local leaders welcomed. Simmonds raised concerns about accountability of neighbourhood boards and the lack of clear purpose for the funds allocated.

  • Andrew Griffith Con Abbottabad

    Expresses concern about the broadening of criteria for funding allocation, suggesting that this approach will not reflect local needs and circumstances. He criticises the proposed process as a 'Whitehall box-ticking' exercise.

  • Defends the plan's continuation from previous government commitments, highlighting issues with unfunded programmes and emphasising flexibility in resource allocation to support community-driven initiatives.

  • Kevin Hollinrake Con Thirsk and Malton

    Calls for value for money in the funding allocation process.

  • Florence Eshalomi Lab/Co-op Vauxhall and Camberwell Green

    Questions the setup of neighbourhood boards, seeking clarity on recruitment processes and potential conflicts between local authorities and these boards. Advocates for a community right to buy legislation.

  • Gideon Amos LD Taunton and Wellington

    Welcomes the move towards objective criteria but raises concerns about financial strain on councils due to lack of resources, urging substantial funding and resource provision. Supports inclusion of nature and climate specialists in neighbourhood boards.

  • Andy McDonald Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    No extracted contribution text available for this contributor yet.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Welcomes the Government’s commitment but expresses disappointment that no community in his constituency has qualified. Asks for confirmation on steps taken to invest in deprived urban areas.

  • Andrew Mitchell Con Sutton Coldfield

    Expresses gratitude for receiving towns fund money from the previous Government and praises the Minister's commitment to honouring this promise. Suggests a visit to Sutton Coldfield to see how well taxpayers' money is being spent.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Grateful for conversations with Mr Mitchell, acknowledges that the difference lies in connection with town councils versus local authorities. Pledges to visit Sutton Coldfield as proposed.

  • Melanie Onn Lab Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes

    Welcomes the inclusion of her constituency's towns on the list for long-term funding but asks about future arrangements for neighbourhood boards, seeking assurance that there will be an opportunity to review these.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Confirms a review of neighbourhood boards by the end of next month. Encourages community involvement in planning processes.

  • Julian Lewis Con New Forest East

    Asks about the geographical footprint and role of unelected new boards versus parish and town councils, seeking clarification on boundaries.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Explains that local authorities will be fundholders with only one exception. Boundaries reflect human rather than political geographies, but tweaks can be made if necessary.

  • Rebecca Long Bailey Lab Salford

    Welcomes the plan's delivery on unmet promises but highlights a fire in Pendleton that left communities without leisure facilities. Requests a meeting to discuss rebuilding efforts.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Agrees to meet Rebecca Long Bailey to discuss assistance for Salford regarding the reconstruction of vital facilities.

  • Sarah Dyke LD Glastonbury and Somerton

    Welcomes social housing commitment but expresses disappointment that Somerset will not benefit. Asks if there are plans to extend funding beyond the 75 local authorities confirmed today.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Acknowledges other available funds such as the enhanced local government settlement and shared prosperity fund, suggesting scope for extension if model proves effective.

  • Helena Dollimore Lab/Co-op Hastings and Rye

    Welcomes commitment of £20 million for Hastings but asks how residents can feed into the process for spending the money responsibly based on community priorities.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Encourages a quick establishment of a board in Hastings, emphasising engagement with the local community to develop neighbourhood plans effectively.

  • Stephen Gethins SNP Arbroath and Broughty Ferry

    Compliments the Minister on Arbroath's exceptional effort but seeks assurance that devolution will be respected, asking how previous EU funding promises can be matched up.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Acknowledges Arbroath’s consultation model. Assures respect for devolution while emphasising the need to reset relationships with devolved Governments, allowing areas that have made progress to move at pace.

  • Matt Rodda Lab Reading Central

    Welcomes the overall policy but inquires about incorporating successful initiatives like high street action zones into this new framework and how local matters will be considered.

  • Alex Norris Lab Middlesbrough and Thornaby East

    Promises to draw on best initiatives such as high street accelerators, community ownership, and funding assets of community value, ensuring comprehensive support for all communities.

  • Steve Darling LD Torbay

    Welcomes the funding but expresses concern about delays and asks if it's possible to pre-spend funds due to ready opportunities in Torbay.

  • Jo Platt Lab/Co-op Leigh and Atherton

    Welcomes the funding boost for Leigh, highlighting its impact on local organisations and businesses. Acknowledges the plan as a step towards empowering communities to shape their areas.

  • Acknowledges Leigh’s creativity and supports the idea of community empowerment through partnerships with central Government. Emphasises that decisions should be made by local people rather than politicians.

  • Gregory Campbell DUP East Londonderry

    Welcomes the announcement for Northern Ireland, particularly Coleraine and Londonderry. Asks for a review towards the end of this Parliament to assess progress and effectiveness.

  • Agrees on the importance of reviewing plans after four years and by the end of the current Parliament. Emphasises the need for realistic planning without backlog funding accumulation.

  • Terry Jermy Lab South West Norfolk

    Gratefully receives the announcement, focusing on Thetford's potential regeneration after 14 years of decline. Asks how funds can be spent quickly and effectively in the short term.

  • Commits to close collaboration with recipients for effective planning and provides pre-approved interventions for quick implementation, ensuring value for money.

  • Lee Dillon LD Newbury

    Questions the 75% capital and 25% revenue split, suggesting potential local flexibility. Suggests exploring neighbourhood boards to enhance community autonomy.

  • Acknowledges the principle of autonomy but emphasises that any changes must maintain programme integrity. Confirms no flexibility on the current split but commits to evaluate effectiveness.

  • Frank McNally Lab Coatbridge and Bellshill

    Commends the funding for Coatbridge, highlighting its importance for regeneration after previous Government's unfulfilled promises. Acknowledges support for local decision-making.

  • Acknowledges Coatbridge’s needs and confirms that funding was crucially delivered despite initial doubts about availability.

  • Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East

    Welcomes the statement, focusing on Peterhead's potential benefits. Asks if there is scope for reorganisation of boards to extend their geographical footprint.

  • Confirms consideration of common-sense boundary changes but maintains programme integrity by avoiding significant population increases.

  • Sarah Hall Lab/Co-op Warrington South

    Welcomes the empowerment of communities in decision-making, focusing on grassroots sports teams and fan ownership.

  • Emphasises commitment to fan ownership through initiatives like the community ownership fund and shared prosperity fund.

  • Anneliese Midgley Lab Knowsley

    Welcomes funding for Knowsley, highlighting Centre 63's importance. Invites Minister to discuss further empowerment of communities in shaping their home.

  • Supports the need for local purpose and commits to discussions on empowering Kirkby through the programme.

  • Douglas McAllister Lab West Dunbartonshire

    Welcomes funding for West Dunbartonshire and Clydebank, stressing community identity and desire for shaping their area. Asks for confirmation of local decision-making on fund usage.

  • Agrees on empowering communities to decide on fund usage, aiming for maximum transformational impact through local plans.

  • Jim Dickson Lab Dartford

    Welcomes the plan's emphasis on community agency in spending decisions. Questions how critical projects outside designated areas might benefit from this programme.

  • Acknowledges the need for discussions during the spending review phase to support critical projects beyond designated places.

  • John Slinger Lab Rugby

    Pays tribute to the Minister’s visit and roundtable discussion in Rugby. Acknowledges Labour borough councillors' efforts towards vibrant community and business sectors.

Government Response

The Minister outlined a £1.5 billion plan for neighbourhoods, emphasising support for growth and access to opportunity in 75 places across the UK. He highlighted that each area will receive up to £20 million of funding over a decade and introduced new objectives such as building thriving places, stronger communities, and empowering people. Defends the plan's continuation from previous government commitments, emphasises transparency in decision-making processes, outlines plans for neighbourhood boards and community right to buy legislation.

Shadow Response

David Simmonds

The shadow Minister questioned the accountability of neighbourhood boards and the clarity of purpose for the allocated funds. He noted that these issues sit alongside changes in the proposed planning White Paper and raised concerns about local democracy being vital for effective board operation.

▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy