Pride in Place Programme 2025-11-26
2025-11-26
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Pride in Place programme is investing £500 million to revitalise communities across Scotland. The Scotland Office has completed evidence collection from MPs, MSPs, local authorities, and community groups for the selection of 14 new neighbourhoods.
What steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to support regeneration in Scotland through the Pride in Place programme? Will the Minister give assurances on the timeline of the Pride in Place funding? It is crucial to get projects up and running as soon as possible. While it might be too early for her to wear a Santa hat, can she tell me whether successful local authorities can expect an early Christmas present?
Through the Pride in Place programme, we are investing almost £500 million to revitalise communities across Scotland. As part of that, the Scotland Office has recently completed the collection of evidence from MPs, MSPs, local authorities and community groups to inform the selection of 14 new neighbourhoods that will each benefit from £20 million over 10 years. I can confirm to my hon. Friend that she will not have long to wait. It is in all our interests to get things coming down the chimney as soon as possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question follows the announcement of £500 million investment through the Pride in Place programme to revitalise communities across Scotland, with 14 neighbourhoods selected for £20 million each over 10 years. Concern is raised about the lack of inclusion of deprived areas like Stenhouse in Edinburgh West.
Some 40% of children in Stenhouse in my constituency of Edinburgh West live in poverty. There are nine Pride in Place projects being considered across Edinburgh, but none include that area of deprivation. Are there plans to change the criteria so that such areas can be included, helping to attack problems such as child poverty?
There are no plans to change the criteria against which local authority areas will be selected, but I can confirm that we do not have long to wait before the areas will be confirmed.
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Assessment & feedback
specific changes in selection criteria
Response accuracy