At the Business in the Community’s Pride of Place Annual Summit on 2 June 2026, Minister Satvir Kaur emphasised the vital role of partnership between government, businesses, charities, and communities in driving meaningful local change. Drawing on her own experiences growing up in a deprived area of Southampton, she outlined the government’s commitment to empowering communities through significant investment and collaborative efforts.

Building Change from the Ground Up

Minister Kaur began by reflecting on her upbringing in Southampton, where despite economic hardship, community spirit was strong. She highlighted that lasting change cannot be imposed solely by government departments but must be developed collaboratively with those closest to the issues. Her 14 years in local government, including leadership of Southampton City Council, reinforced her belief in the power of aligned public services, businesses, and community groups working together.

However, she acknowledged systemic challenges such as siloed funding and short-term planning that often hinder genuine partnerships. To address this, the government is creating a new place-based unit and championing place-led budgets, aiming to break down these barriers and foster long-term collaboration.

The Pride in Place Programme

A central focus of the speech was the Pride in Place programme, which will invest £6 billion over the next decade into more than 300 communities across the UK. This initiative empowers local people to decide how funds are spent, ensuring investments reflect the priorities of each neighbourhood. Minister Kaur described this as a fundamental shift in government’s relationship with places, moving away from top-down commissioning to genuine partnership and local leadership.

Each community involved in Pride in Place will receive £2 million annually for ten years to support projects that make a tangible difference. Minister Kaur cited her own constituency’s Millbrook estate as an example, where a newly appointed neighbourhood board is already driving positive change.

Business as a Partner in Place

Local businesses, often the heart of communities, play a crucial role in this vision. Minister Kaur highlighted the importance of businesses moving beyond traditional donor roles to become active partners in social and economic development. She praised efforts such as Business in the Community’s book drive, which supported over 20,000 children in deprived areas, including her former school.

Examples from the West Midlands illustrate this approach, where major employers like Greene King and Severn Trent collaborate with government and charities to provide opportunities for care leavers, ex-offenders, and young people with mental health challenges. These partnerships not only drive economic growth but also improve social outcomes.

Government Support for Impact Partnerships

The government has established the Office for the Impact Economy to foster philanthropy, impact investment, and purpose-driven business. This office aims to simplify collaboration between sectors and provide communities with the infrastructure, capital, and capability needed to develop impactful partnerships at scale.

Minister Kaur emphasised that tackling societal fragmentation and rebuilding trust requires empowering local people and ensuring no community feels left behind. The Pride in Place programme is a key part of this strategy, offering sustained funding and support to enable communities to shape their own futures.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

Concluding her speech, Minister Kaur challenged businesses, charities, and organisations to consider how they can contribute to thriving communities where everyone has the opportunity to reach their potential. She stressed that creating pride in places is a shared responsibility, requiring collective effort to build vibrant neighbourhoods that residents are proud to call home.

What this means for landlords

For landlords and letting agents, the Pride in Place programme signals increased investment and community engagement in neighbourhoods across the country. As local people gain more influence over funding decisions, landlords may see improvements in community infrastructure and services that enhance the desirability and stability of their properties.

Moreover, partnerships between businesses, charities, and government could lead to initiatives addressing social issues such as employment, education, and wellbeing, which can positively impact tenant retention and community cohesion. Staying informed and involved in local developments will be essential for landlords aiming to support and benefit from these place-led transformations.

Source: Based on reporting from Cabinet Office and Satvir Kaur MP

TLA Training Academy

The Landlord Association has launched its new Training Academy for UK landlords, providing structured guidance, compliance education, and practical knowledge to support landlords at every stage. Members can now complete the programme and become TLA Certified Landlords at no additional cost as part of their membership.

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TLA update

The Landlord Association is currently onboarding new service providers into its Trusted Partner Hub, a new initiative designed to support landlords, tenants, letting agents, and property managers with vetted, high-quality services. As one of the fastest growing landlord associations in the UK, TLA offers partners direct access to an engaged and active member base at the point of need. Service providers across legal, maintenance, insurance, finance, mortgages, tenant screening, and property services can register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/