Plan for Neighbourhoods: Bedfordshire
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to her Department’s Plan for Neighbourhoods: prospectus, updated on 13 March 2025, on what basis local authorities in Bedfordshire were excluded from selection.
Answered by Alex Norris
The Plan for Neighbourhoods was launched on 4 March. The 75 places across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were chosen via a selection methodology that has been published in the Plan for Neighbourhoods prospectus. The metrics used for selection included indices of multiple deprivation, healthy life expectancy, skill level, and Gross Value Added per hour worked. As well as this, eligible places had to have a population size of between 20,000 and 100,000.
All 75 towns across the UK that were originally selected to receive Long-Term Plan for Towns funding will receive the Plan for Neighbourhoods package. We are making good on those commitments, giving each of the 75 places the certainty that they will receive up to £20 million of funding and support over the next decade.
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