Local campaigners have criticised the Government after the South West was almost entirely ignored in a new £1.5 billion fund designed to help struggling communities.
The Plan for Neighbourhoods scheme, which promises up to £20 million for 75 areas across the UK, aims to regenerate high streets, improve public spaces, and fund local services. Yet, only one town in the South West—Torquay—has been included, sparking anger among rural and coastal communities that feel left behind.
James Wright, a local campaigner and farmer, says the decision is yet another example of the South West being forgotten in national investment.
“This funding could have made a huge difference to towns across Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset. We have some of the lowest wages in the country, businesses struggling with high costs, and families priced out by second homes. Yet Labour seems to think we don’t need investment.”
While towns across the North and Midlands have received significant funding, Wright believes that the selection process ignored the real struggles of rural Britain.
“Labour’s funding criteria prioritise big urban projects, completely missing the hidden deprivation in rural and coastal areas. A town like Minehead or Barnstaple might not look run-down like an ex-industrial area, but local people are struggling just as much, often more, because wages are lower and housing is unaffordable.”
The decision has also raised questions about whether the funding is politically motivated. Many of the areas selected are in Labour and battleground seats, while the South West, which has traditionally voted Conservative or Liberal Democrat, has been largely overlooked.
“It’s hard to ignore that many of the towns picked for investment are places where Labour is trying to hold or win seats,” Wright added. “That’s not levelling up—it’s political game-playing.”
With investment due to start rolling out from 2025, campaigners are calling for a review of the selection process to ensure that rural and coastal communities get a fair deal.
“The South West has been left behind for too long,” Wright said. “If we don’t stand up and demand investment, we’ll keep getting ignored.”
