HM Government

Strong, positive communities nurture ambition and encourage success. Over the last decade, we have taken clear steps to build better communities, with targeted investment in regeneration and neighbourhood renewal. Recently, we announced the creation of the biggest regeneration agency in Europe: the Homes and Communities Agency.

But the last ten years have taught us that long-term improvements are brought about by linking physical, social and economic regeneration and by developing plans based on local expertise and real community engagement. To tackle the underlying economic causes of deprivation, we must take a holistic view of communities, linking improvements to the fabric of the neighbourhood with improvements to long-term prospects - through greater job opportunities and higher aspirations. We are therefore investing in a range of programmes to raise aspirations, engage young people in community life and empower communities to respond locally to the problems they face.