Money: Falconer

The latest round of urban regeneration funding has been announced by the government.

Grants totalling £21.8 million programme were unveiled by regeneration minister Lord Falconer on Tuesday.

The cash is aimed at encouraging people who live in poor areas to get involved in modernising their communities as well as professionals, civil servants and regeneration experts.

More than £10 million pounds will pay for "community learning chests" which will be handed out in the form of grants of up to £5000 to help people or organisations access training and advice or finance study visits.

Lord Falconer said: "Turning around our most deprived areas isn't easy. The national strategy is our commitment to put communities at the heart of neighbourhood renewal, working in partnership with practitioners, professionals and civil servants.

"Our challenge now is to help everyone involved by giving them the tools to make a difference. This means sharing experience of what works and what doesn't. It also means ensuring that learning is accessible to people with limited resources. Community learning chests fill this gap," he said.