BRITAIN'S neglected high streets can look forward to a new lease of life thanks to a £1.1billion cash boost.
Rishi Sunak last night named 55 "rundown" towns chosen to benefit from his levelling-up windfall.
Reviving these communities, many in "Red Wall" seats, is key to the PM's chances of winning the general election expected next autumn.
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.
The Prime Minister says successive governments have focused on cities, vowing: "That changes today." The towns will each receive £20million during the next decade to tackle priorities set by their communities.
The launch of the "long-term plan for towns" comes as Conservatives gather in Manchester for what may be the last party conference before the next election.
Worryingly for the Prime Minister, exclusive polling shows half of Britons think the North-South divide has got worse in the past five years and only one in 20 thinks it has improved.
Town boards will be set up to drive the regeneration of "left behind" communities, bringing together community leaders, employers, local authorities and the local MP.
Denne historien er fra October 01, 2023-utgaven av Sunday Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra October 01, 2023-utgaven av Sunday Express.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
VAR is losing its appeal for fuming Frank
A BRENTFORD barricade following skipper Christian Norgaard's red card earned Thomas Frank's side their first away point of the campaign.
Worst Welsh run piles pressure on boss Gatland
WALES slumped to a 12th straight Test defeat as the pressure ramped up for head coach Warren Gatland at Principality Stadium.
Londoners waiting for home 'exiled' to North
COUNCIL chiefs have been warned they may be breaking the law by sending thousands of people on housing waiting lists in London to the North and the Midlands.
New drug for blood cancer a 'game-changer'
PATIENTS with a rare and deadly form of blood cancer have been \"given a second chance\" by a game-changing new drug.
How satellites pose threat to nuclear subs
HUGE leaps in satellite technology will make Britain's nuclear missilecarrying submarines less of a deterrent to China and Russia.
Rescue centres in crisis over rise in dumped dogs
THE RSPCA has warned of a shocking rise in pets being abandoned across the country, many in desperate need of care.
Paul's in-laws sell up to end village pub row
PAUL Hollywood's in-laws have sold their 600-year-old pub and ended a bitter row with villagers who have declared \"war is over\".
Monster deals for return of Thrones
GAME OF Thrones stars are set to be offered huge new deals to return for a big-budget movie sequel.
When arch pop rivals sang together as one...
BAND Aid creator Sir Bob Geldof has revealed the chart-stopping bands on Do They Know it's Christmas? \"could not stand each other\".
Trump 'may save Biden Jr from jail’
PRESIDENT Joe Biden's son Hunter is facing the grim prospect of being sentenced to prison twice in the space of just three days next month.
