Future funding will be focused on tackling the economic challenges of individual communities, and will favour schemes that boost enterprise, give people skills to work and attract business investment. The proposals will also shift more power to local people and the communities in which they live.

Speaking at a conference in London, Communities Secretary, Hazel Blears, said:

"We want long-lasting regeneration that will help people and neighbourhoods to take responsibility and enable everyone to rise as far as their talents can take them."