Overview

• The programme funds 169 areas with £2 million a year for a decade and gives a further 95 places an immediate £1.5 million for public spaces, scaling earlier pilots in 75 locations.
• Communities are promised Community Right to Buy, expanded compulsory purchase powers, and the ability for councils to limit new betting, vape and so‑called fake barber shops, subject to forthcoming law.
• Local decision‑making will run through neighbourhood boards of community leaders working with councils, with spending approved only where residents and local groups have been genuinely consulted.
• Devolved roll‑out includes £292 million for Scotland delivered via the Scotland Office—14 places to get up to £20 million over 10 years and eight councils £1.5 million—while the North East reports £269 million in allocations; arrangements for Northern Ireland will be set out later.
• Reactions range from the LGA’s call for fair, flexible funding to the Betting and Gaming Council defending betting shops, as public‑health researchers back curbs on ‘unhealthy’ high‑street clusters and some councillors seek sight of the legislative text.