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Rishi Sunak named fifty-five \u201crundown\u201d towns chosen to benefit from his Levelling Up windfall.<\/p>\n
Reviving these neglected \u201cred wall\u201d communities is key to the PM\u2019s chances of winning the general election expected next autumn.<\/p>\n
He sees this investment as vital in transforming towns plagued by yobs and a lack of opportunity. By dealing with eyesore empty shops and improving transport into high streets, he wants to kickstart growth and bring prosperity back to these former industrial centres.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister says successive governments have focused on cities, vowing: \u201cThat changes today.\u201d The fifty-five towns will each receive \u00a320million during the next decade to tackle priorities set by their communities.<\/p>\n
The launch of the \u201clong-term plan for towns\u201d comes as Conservatives gather in Manchester for what may be the last party conference before the next election.<\/p>\n
Worryingly for the Prime Minister, exclusive polling shows half of Britons think the North-South divide has got worse in the past five years \u2013 and only one in twenty thinks it has improved.<\/p>\n
Town boards will be set up to drive the regeneration of \u201cleft behind\u201d communities, bringing together community leaders, employers, local authorities and the local MP.<\/p>\n
Mr Sunak said: \u201cTowns are the place most of us call home and where most of us go to work. But politicians have always taken towns for granted and focused on cities.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> Councils adding highest surcharges on Council Tax bills \u2013 MAPPED<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cThe result is half-empty high streets, run-down shopping centres and anti-social behaviour that under-mine many towns\u2019 prosperity and hold back people\u2019s opportunity \u2013 and without a new approach, these problems will only get worse.<\/p>\n \u201cThat changes today. Our long-term plan for towns puts funding in the hands of local people to invest in line with their priorities, over the long term. That is how we level up.\u201d<\/p>\n The Government wants to \u201cput an end to people feeling like their town is ignored by Westminster\u201d and instead empower communities to \u201ctake back control\u201d.<\/p>\n Under the plans, new regeneration powers will be used to auction-off empty high street shops, change licensing rules and bring more housing into town centres.<\/p>\n Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said: \u201cWe know that in our towns the values of hard work and solidarity, common sense and common purpose, endeavour and quiet patriotism have endured across generations. But for too long, too many of our great British towns have been overlooked and undervalued.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are putting this right. This will empower communities in every part of the UK to take back control of their future, taking long-term deci-sions in the interests of local people.<\/p>\n \u201cIt will mean more jobs, more opportunities and a brighter future for our towns and the people who live and work in them.\u201d<\/p>\n A new \u201ctowns taskforce\u201d will report directly to Mr Sunak and Mr Gove.<\/p>\n The initiative comes amid deep concern about inequality in the UK.<\/p>\n Polling by WeThink for the Sunday Express found twenty-one per cent said the North-South divide has got \u201cmuch worse\u201d in the past half-decade, with twenty-nine per cent saying it is a \u201clittle worse\u201d. Forty-four per cent said it is \u201cabout the same\u201d.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> Four per cent said it has got \u201ca little better\u201d and only one per cent said it is \u201cmuch better\u201d. Conservative MPs determined to secure improvements for the region will tomorrow launch a \u201cManifesto for the North\u201d at the party conference.<\/p>\n The Northern Research Group wants a government commitment to build half a million homes, deliver a rail link between Liverpool and Hull, and appoint a dedicated cabinet minister, alongside a pledge not to increase the overall tax burden.<\/p>\n Chairman John Stevenson said voters in the North of England would play a pivotal role in deciding the outcome of the next election. He said: \u201cWith the North acting as kingmakers for the next election, the Government must listen to northern voices.<\/p>\n Our manifesto addresses this, presenting tangible steps that ensure the North\u2019s vast potential is actively harnessed.\u201d<\/p>\n Just as public funds are allocated to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland under the \u201cBarnett for-mula\u201d, the MPs want a similar one for English regions to ensure \u201cequitable funding\u201d.<\/p>\n They are also calling for \u201cparity in educational funding in the North\u201d and want a \u201cRoyal Com-mission on healthcare provision\u201d.<\/p>\n To ensure issues affecting the North are a government priority, they want a Secretary of State for the North and a select committee for the North in Parliament.<\/p>\n Mr Stevenson said: \u201cOur manifesto outlines a vision for a revitalised North, a region that can not only match the prosperity of the South but can lead in many areas.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the Conservative Party to win the next election, the Manifesto for the North underlines the importance of investing in the region, ensuring its growth, and making certain its voice is heard in Westminster.\u201d<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n
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