Cornwall Excluded from Latest Pride in Place Funding Round

The Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, Ben Maguire, has criticised the Government after Cornwall was excluded from the latest round of ‘Pride in Place’ funding.

The scheme, which offers up to £20 million per area over the next decade, has been awarded to a further 40 communities. However, no towns in Cornwall were selected.

Calls for Cornwall to Be Included

The decision comes despite Ben Maguire and other Cornish MPs meeting with ministers to argue that Cornwall should be included. They highlighted the need for investment in towns facing significant economic challenges across the Duchy.

Ben has also repeatedly raised concerns that Cornwall continues to miss out on central Government funding, despite having some of the most deprived communities in the country. This includes areas within his own North Cornwall constituency.

Concerns Over Deprivation

Speaking following the announcement, Ben said:

“This is yet another deeply disappointing decision that sees Cornwall completely overlooked by this Government, and I am furious that Ministers have ignored our collective, cross-party efforts.

“Towns like Bodmin clearly meet the criteria for this funding, with some neighbourhoods ranking among the most deprived in the entire country, yet Cornwall has not been allocated a single penny.

“At a time when other funding streams are coming to an end, this continued failure to invest in Cornwall risks leaving our communities further behind, and my constituents are appalled by this latest snubbing.

“I will now be escalating this disastrous decision with urgency. Cornwall just cannot be left behind.”

No Cornwall Locations Selected

While 40 communities across the UK are set to benefit from the latest funding round, Cornwall was not included in the list.

The announcement has prompted renewed concern over how funding is distributed, particularly in areas identified as facing ongoing economic challenges.