Some of most deprived towns left out of aid scheme, says watchdog

SOME OF the most deprived towns in England have been left out of a scheme to boost funding due to “cherry picking” by Ministers, a financial watchdog has said.

Chairwoman of the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Meg Hillier made the claim after a report into how localities were selected to share in the £3.6bn boost for towns was published.

Labour MP Ms Hillier said a study into the procedure by the National Audit Office (NAO) indicated nine out of 10 towns were ruled out of the competition for funding with no explanation.

The NAO report looked into how the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government selected the 101 towns that it invited to bid for up to £25m, or up to £50m in exceptional circumstances, from the £3.6bn Towns Fund for England.

Ms Hillier said: “This NAO report shows that some of the most deprived towns in England will be left behind once again.

“Nine out of 10 towns were ruled out with no explanation before they even reached the competition’s starting line, while some relatively affluent towns are still in the running. Ministers relied on flimsy, cherry-picked evidence to choose the lucky towns.

“Those that lost out have not yet had the chance to make their case.”

An MHCLG spokesperson said:

“It is completely untrue to suggest that 9 out of 10 towns were ruled out with no explanation.

“This claim completely ignores the NAOs’ detailed report, which shows that the government put in place a robust process to identify towns for Town Deals,” they continued.