- Stuart Anderson MP has said it is "deeply frustrating" that South Shropshire has been "overlooked" in the government's recently revealed community regeneration plans.
- In December 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer invited residents to join neighbourhood boards to have their say on the local changes that they wish to see where they live.
- However, it has been revealed that South Shropshire is not eligible for the funding which is designed to "restore local pride" and "reinvigorate" local areas.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
"It is deeply frustrating that South Shropshire has been excluded from the government's recently revealed community regeneration and youth support plans, including the Pride in Place and Better Youth Spaces programmes. South Shropshire has pockets of deprivation which are entrenched but not always recognised by official criteria for inclusion in government programmes. This is worsened by issues such as sparsity, distance, and the lack of connectivity in rural areas. The government's approach contradicts its own commitment to rural-proofing its policies to ensure that rural communities are not overlooked when it comes to making decisions and allocating funding for local areas. Despite this setback, I will continue campaigning for the positive changes that are needed to help our local communities in South Shropshire thrive again."
The Government's Pride in Place Programme has committed to providing up to £5 billion over ten years to support 244 places across the country. It was announced that hundreds of communities would be equipped with an initial £150,000 to support a "decade of change in their neighbourhoods." The government statement added that those interested in getting involved should contact their local Member of Parliament (MP) or Local Authority.
However, it has been revealed that South Shropshire is not eligible for the funding which is designed to "restore local pride" and "reinvigorate" local areas. The Government is also said to be considering plans for a longer-term £50 billion Neighbourhood Recovery Fund which does not include South Shropshire. It was also revealed that South Shropshire is not eligible for the Better Youth Spaces Programme, since local authorities with higher deprivation scored more.
In response to Stuart's campaign, Youth Minister Stephanie Peacock said that Shropshire had not been selected as one of the areas which could demonstrate "high levels of need." However, Stuart has said that South Shropshire has pockets of deprivation which are entrenched but not always recognised by official criteria for inclusion in government programmes. Stuart has said this approach disadvanrages rural communities like South Shropshire, which face unique challenges such as rural sparsity, distance, and ongoing connectivity issues.
Stuart added that it contradicts the government's commitment to rural proofing its policies which was renewed in May 2025. This aims to ensure that rural areas are not overlooked and intended outcomes can be delivered in these communities. The campaign is part of Stuart's plan to support local communities in South Shropshire by addressing their unique challenges and attracting support for community groups. Last year, he launched a Community Support Finder to help local groups access dedicated funding schemes.
