Seven London boroughs and two neighbourhoods are set to receive millions of pounds of Government cash to revive high streets, parks and public spaces.
The Prime Minister today vowed that “true patriots” who have "real skin in the game" would get to decide how the money is spent in their areas.
Brent, Barking and Dagenham, Newham, Croydon, Enfield, Hounslow and Haringey will all recieve £1.5 million each as part of the Government's Pride in Place programme for new green spaces, play areas and sports and leisure facilities.
Up to £20 million will also be earmarked for investment in Harold Hill East in Havering and New Addington North in Croydon.
Communities will be given new powers to save local pubs and libraries that face being shut down and block unwanted betting and vape shops.
Councils will get the opportunity to seize derelict buildings and boarded-up shops under Community Right to Buy and beefed-up compulsory purchase powers.
Sir 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.
“We’re investing in Britain’s future, by backing the true patriots that build our communities up in neighbourhoods across every corner of the country. Because it’s people who bring pride, hope and life to our communities.
“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.”
The Government has announced funding of up to £5 billion to revive high streets across the UK. It aims to support people across 339 neighbourhoods to lead the renewal in their local areas.
Some 169 UK areas will receive £2 million every year for a decade to give them certainty when planning for the future, totalling £3.5 billion. This is on top of an existing commitment to 75 areas, costing £1.5 billion.
Separately, a further 95 areas will receive an immediate £1.5 million cash injection to upgrade public spaces.
Housing Secretary and MP for Streatham and Croydon North Steve Reed said: “Building pride in place starts with people, not politics. Local people know what they want to see in their neighbourhoods – and they don’t need government to dictate it.
“This plan will spark an historic grassroots movement that will restore local people’s power, boost national pride and help people get on in life across the UK.”
