Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces Highland Council to get £20m from UK Government for Pride of Place regeneration projects
The Prime Minister has announced that the Highland Council is set to receive £20million for regeneration projects from the UK Government.
PM Keir Starmer said the funds are set to be released over 10 years to revitalise high streets and town centres, preserve local heritage, provide housing, create jobs and boost productivity and skills.
The Pride in Place programme will see up to £280 million shared among 12 Scottish local authorities, including Highland Council.
Across the UK, up to £5 billion for 339 communities has been confirmed.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For too long, people have watched their towns and streets decline – powerless to stop boarded-up shops and neglected parks. That ends now.
“This is a huge investment, but what matters most is who decides how it’s spent: the neighbours, volunteers and parents who know their communities best – the people with real skin in the game.
“We’re choosing renewal over decline, unity over division. This is our Plan for Change in action – giving power and pride back to the people who make Britain great.”
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “The UK Government is committed to delivering a decade of national renewal for Scotland.
“Through the Pride in Place programmes we’re announcing today, the UK Government will provide 14 places in Scotland with up to £20 million over 10 years and eight Scottish local authorities with £1.5 million over two years.
“We are providing almost £300 million new direct investment to local authority areas to revitalise local communities.
“The UK Government will be working with local partners to deliver economic growth and l see these improvements made to communities up and down Scotland making them even greater places to live, work and play.”
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves added: "We’re giving local people the power to transform their hometowns. Giving them more control of how money is spent where they live so that together we can invest in Britain’s renewal and build an economy that rewards working people.
“This £5 billion investment doesn't just reverse decades of underinvestment in our public infrastructure – it cuts through the bureaucracy by giving local people the power to deliver the change they want to see."