I fought for Blackpool's most deprived communities in meeting with Keir Starmer says MP Chris Webb
Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has raised concerns about investment in some of the town’s most deprived communities during a meeting with Keir Starmer at the House of Commons.
During the discussion, Chris Webb MP highlighted the need for targeted support in South Shore and Claremont, which include neighbourhoods ranked among the most deprived in the country under the 2025 Indices of Deprivation.
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The meeting focused on the lack of inclusion of these areas in the government’s Pride in Place programme, a 10-year scheme intended to regenerate disadvantaged communities through £20 million investments. Despite high levels of deprivation across income, health, housing and crime, parts of Blackpool have not yet been selected for further funding under the initiative.
Mr Webb MP has been campaigning for an additional Pride in Place allocation for Blackpool, specifically aimed at South Shore. At the meeting, he presented regeneration plans for both South Shore and Claremont, outlining proposals developed with input from the local community.
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“Today I took the case for Blackpool’s most deprived communities straight to the Prime Minister,” said Chris Webb MP. “South Shore and Claremont face some of the toughest challenges in the country and for far too long residents have been let down and left behind.
“I told the Prime Minister plainly – Blackpool is ready to turn things around but we cannot do it alone. We have the plans, the community backing and the determination to deliver real change. For years we have been overlooked and underfunded. That is not acceptable and it has to change.
“The Prime Minister has agreed to work with me to explore solutions and involve his Downing Street team. That’s a step forward and it’s just the start of the conversation. I will keep fighting at the very top of government until Blackpool gets the investment, support and fairness it deserves.”
Following the discussion, the Prime Minister said he would consider the proposals further and hold talks with his Downing Street policy team on possible next steps. The meeting follows a recent conversation between Mr Webb MP and Chancellor Rachel Reeves, in which similar concerns were raised about South Shore.
This came shortly after a major fire on Waterloo Road, which drew attention to ongoing issues affecting the area’s high street. In recent months, Mr Webb MP has sought to draw government attention to South Shore, including visits by senior ministers to Waterloo Road and Bond Street.
He has also secured a commitment from a Communities Minister to visit the area, as well as a share of £1.5 million from the Pride in Place Impact Fund for improvements in South Shore and Claremont.