Following Exeter MP Steve Race’s advocacy in government, Whipton and Heavitree East communities today found out they will benefit from a massive £20 million investment under the Government’s Pride in Place programme.

This means that £2 million a year for ten years will be dedicated to improving the local area’s facilities, backing community groups, creating jobs, and making our streets safer and stronger.

Importantly, people in the Whipton area will decide how funding is spent – reviving high streets, restoring parks, and breathing new life into pubs, leisure centres and community halls.

This is renewal in action, led by the people who know their neighbourhoods best. Communities will also gain new powers to seize boarded-up shops, block nuisance businesses, and buy beloved local assets before they close – restoring pride and unity to every corner of the country.

Exeter’s MP, Steve Race, has been fighting to ensure Exeter gets a share of the Pride in Place funding and is committed to making sure it is spent in the best interests of the local community.

The programme will be delivered through a Neighbourhood Board, working with local councils and the MP, but led by an independent chair and in partnership with local people.

The announcement is part of the government’s decade-long mission to back the people who make their communities thrive. It sits alongside wider work to deliver cleaner, safer streets, create opportunities on every doorstep, and build the homes, roads and GP surgeries people need to thrive.

Steve Race, MP for Exeter, said: “£20m investment is huge news for communities in Whipton and Heavitree and I’m delighted that the Government has responded to my call for Pride in Place funding.

“For too long under the last Tory government, some communities have felt they were left behind. I hear people’s hopes and aspirations for their neighbourhood, and to rebuild some of the opportunity and services that they used to have. I’ve taken this back to government and made the case that communities in Whipton and east Heavitree deserve better.

“Local people will be in the driving seat of decision-making about how to spend this £20 million. I’m excited to begin the discussion with people about what they would like to see the money spent on – it could be improved outdoor spaces, work to tackle antisocial behaviour, delivering new skills programmes, or more provision for young people. Whatever it is, this money will go a long way to inspiring new pride in our communities.”

Cllr Matt Vizard, Exeter City Council Portfolio Holder for Communities and Labour candidate for Newtown & St Leonards. said: “The Labour Government’s Pride in Place funding for Exeter is fantastic news. By working together nationally and locally, only Labour can deliver for Exeter. We have steered the city through years of cuts from Tory and Coalition governments; now I am filled with hope for what we can achieve in Exeter. While opposition parties talk down our city, our Labour MP and councillors champion our communities, businesses and organisations, and deliver positive change.

“This funding represents a huge investment in Whipton and Heavitree, and will bring wider benefits to the city. Above all, it empowers local people to generate ideas to shape and boost pride in their communities. I am excited to see what projects come forward.”

Cllr Liz Pole, Exeter City Councillor for Mincinglake and Whipton. said: “Whipton welcomes this thrilling £20 million Pride of Place funding from the UK Government.

“Our Labour councillor team will fight tooth and nail to make sure our neighbourhoods get a generous share of the “Heavitree & Whipton” pot every year from now until 2037. Our team actively listens to thousands of residents every year, and with our proven record we are well placed to work with local grassroots organisations so that investment goes to what matters most.

“Thankfully what Whipton currently lacks in infrastructure, we more than make up for in our resilient “village” community spirit. I imagine Whipton will want to offer our young people new opportunities, fix our tired infrastructure and give a great big boost to our excellent grass roots community groups, but what’s brilliant about the scheme is that it gives our community choices and options about the priorities as well as money to fund them.”

Dave Mutton, Labour candidate for Heavitree, said: “This is the kind of progress Heavitree East deserves. It’s not just about funding — it’s about giving local people a real say in shaping their neighbourhoods. With our Labour MP and Labour-led City Council working together, we’re delivering real improvements for Exeter’s residents and building stronger communities for the future. If elected in May, I’ll work to build on this momentum, ensuring our community gets the investment, attention and voice it deserves.”

Steve Casemore, Labour candidate for Mincinglake and Whipton, said: “For years the Tory government ignored communities like Whipton, whilst driving through their austerity agenda. It is fantastic that our Labour MP, Steve Race, has successfully lobbied the government ensuring substantial investment will be delivered this year and every year over the next decade.  The decisions on how to spend this money will be made by the people who matter in our community – its residents.”