Swindon to get up to £25m from Towns Fund

Swindon is one of 100 centres to be given up to £25 million from the Government’s Towns Fund.

The £3.6m scheme is to boost towns which, the Government says, have proud industrial and economic heritage but have not always benefitted from economic growth in the same way as more prosperous areas.

Local government secretary, Robert Jenrick, said: “Ensuring that prosperity and opportunities are available to everyone in this country, not just those in London or our biggest cities, is at the heart of the mission of this Government.

“We want to level-up our great towns, raising living standards and ensuring they can thrive with transformative investment in transport, technology, skills and culture.”

A prospectus will be published soon to guide towns through the process and set eligibility criteria for funding.

Communities in each area will be involved in Town Deals aimed at improving connectivity, providing social and cultural infrastructure and boosting growth.

Swindon has separately bid for funds from the £1bn Future High Streets Fund.

Fifty additional towns have now been added to that fund including High Wycombe.

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