To ask the Minister for Communities for an update on the People and Place – A Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal.

I have witnessed first-hand the impressive work delivered by our partners in the community sector as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. This year I have invested over £20 million pounds in my Neighbourhood Renewal programme which makes a real impact on the lives of those in the most deprived communities.

Through this investment, over 2,500 local community groups were supported, more than 5,500 adults volunteered in their communities, over 1,500 people were helped to secure employment through targeted training and employability interventions, and community groups were able to secure over £40 million in additional external funding.

Of course, I want to see my Neighbourhood Renewal programme doing even more for disadvantaged communities. The Review of the ‘Neighbourhood Renewal People and Place Strategy: has now concluded and I am considering how to take it forward.

Subject to my Executive colleagues’ approval, a public consultation on the Strategic Framework will take place in due course.

It is not anticipated that any changes to the existing Neighbourhood Renewal programme will take place during the 2026/27 financial year.