Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pride in Place: Community Cohesion

Monday 13 April 2026 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Pride in Place funding up to 20 million for central Luton was confirmed.
  • The community in Luton will decide how to spend the funds to drive local change.
  • The Pride in Place programme supports community cohesion by backing locally led initiatives.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Community Security
Context

The question arises from the Pride in Place funding initiative, which aims to improve community cohesion. The MP seeks an assessment of its impact specifically on Luton.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of Pride in Place funding on levels of community cohesion in Luton South and South Bedfordshire constituency?

Answer from Steve Reed

I was delighted to confirm up to £20 million for central Luton as part of the expanded Pride in Place programme. The funding will give the community the resources and the power they need to drive transformational local change that will bring people together and restore a sense of pride in the area.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment of impact on community cohesion was not provided, only confirmation of funding and its intended purpose.

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Q2 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Housing Community Security
Context

The question follows up on the previous funding announcement, emphasizing community-led regeneration after years of underinvestment. The MP seeks clarity on the community's role in deciding how to use the investment.

Question

May I take a moment to congratulate Luton Town on winning the English Football League trophy yesterday at Wembley? I very much welcome the £20 million Pride in Place funding for central Luton, which will help to restore pride in our local neighbourhoods after they were left behind for so many years under the previous Conservative Government. Does the Secretary of State agree that decisions on how to use that investment to regenerate central Luton will be made by the community, for the community and to connect the community?

Answer from Steve Reed

I agree with my hon. Friend that one of the most exciting things about Pride in Place is that the community themselves take the decisions about how the money should be spent. Of course that is the right thing to do, because they know best what needs to change to put pride back at the heart of their communities.

Answered
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Q3 Sarah Smith Lab
Community Security
Context

MP is concerned about the potential benefits of Pride in Place funding for Hyndburn constituency, a local area.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of Pride in Place funding on levels of community cohesion in Hyndburn constituency?

Answer from Steve Reed

The Pride in Place programme supports community cohesion by backing locally led change—local people coming together, whatever their background, to determine their own priorities for putting pride back at the heart of their community.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment or impact details on Hyndburn constituency were not provided.

How: Backing Locally Led Change

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Q4 Sarah Smith Lab
Economy Employment Local Government
Context

The MP has established a working group to tackle economic inactivity and high youth unemployment. She wants to know if Pride in Place funding can support such initiatives.

Question

I have established a Get Hyndburn Working group, which is bringing together local organisations, schools, the Department for Work and Pensions, voluntary sector organisations, the college and our training providers to tackle economic inactivity and look at the high levels of our young people who are out of work, training and education. Does the Minister agree that Pride in Place funding could play a key role in supporting these place-based, collective approaches to tackling such issues?

Answer from Steve Reed

I congratulate my hon. Friend on bringing that working group together. That is an excellent use of her role as a Member of Parliament to support her community to have a bigger say, and to enable them to share their ideas and creativity about how to tackle local priorities in the circumstances she is talking about—the important matter of getting people into work and guaranteeing them a better future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific agreement or role of Pride in Place funding was provided.

How: Congratulations On Bringing The Working Group [K Together

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