Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to use the (1) Towns Fund, and (2) Future High Streets Fund, to (a) target struggling small rural towns, and (b) help smaller towns adapt to changing consumer trends and demands.

Through the Towns and Future High Streets Funds, we are giving towns across England the chance to take their future into their own hands. We are helping places recover from the pandemic and fostering long-term growth and prosperity. The projects we are supporting will bring new jobs, help local people develop new skills and make our towns and high streets better places to live, work and shop.

Places like Blyth, Northumberland; Workington, Cleator Moor and Millom in Cumbria; and Mablethorpe in Lincolnshire will benefit from Town Deals, with investment in the Workington Innovation Centre, the Energy Central Campus in Northumberland, and the Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe.

Future High Streets projects in small rural towns include the regeneration of the Crossways shopping centre in Paignton, as well as a community facility that will be provided at the Old Market place in Sutton-in-Ashfield as part of a new Community Hub, which will include an enhanced Sutton Academy theatre.

We are also providing expert advice to 152 local authorities through the High Streets Taskforce, and all towns can access their online support to help them adapt and thrive.