Phase 2 of Changing Futures: Allocations to Areas
Published 25 March 2026
Applies to England
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/phase-2-of-changing-futures-2026-to-2029-allocations-to-areas/phase-2-of-changing-futures-allocations-to-areas
The table sets out funding allocations for the second phase of Changing Futures, split by year.
The latest Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) have been used to identify 18 areas with the highest level of need. The IMD is the best proxy measure for concentrations of multiple disadvantage as it takes account of needs, service challenges and wider contextual factors related to multiple disadvantage. Areas were identified at upper-tier local authority level, selecting the most deprived by average score on IMD 2025.
The allocations are based on a formula weighted for population (20%) and deprivation (80%) to ensure allocations are predominantly driven by the relative level of deprivation and that all areas have a viable minimum investment to deliver the programme successfully.
Where multiple areas are identified within a Mayoral Strategic Authority area, local partners have been given the option to combine their allocations via the Mayoral Strategic Authority and work in a collaborative approach. Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Midlands Combined Authority have agreed this approach, and will be receiving a combined allocation.
This new phase of the programme includes some areas that have been delivering the first phase of Changing Futures and some that are new to the programme. The areas new to Changing Futures in 2026-2029 are receiving 50% of their annual allocation in the first year because it will take them time to recruit and mobilise.
Area allocations
| Lead Authority | Existing Changing Futures areas | Year 1 Allocation 26/27 | Year 2 Allocation 27/28 | Year 3 Allocation 28/29 | Total 3 year allocation 2026-2029 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackburn with Darwen | Yes | £961,698 | £961,698 | £961,698 | £2,885,094 |
| Blackpool | Yes | £1,110,870 | £1,110,870 | £1,110,870 | £3,332,610 |
| Bradford | No | £554,253 | £1,108,506 | £1,108,506 | £2,771,265 |
| Greater Manchester Combined Authority targeting: - Manchester - Oldham - Rochdale |
Yes | £3,209,629 | £3,209,629 | £3,209,629 | £9,628,887 |
| Hartlepool | No | £478,812 | £957,624 | £957,624 | £2,394,060 |
| Kingston upon Hull | Yes | £1,013,417 | £1,013,417 | £1,013,417 | £3,040,251 |
| Knowsley | No | £494,299 | £988,599 | £988,599 | £2,471,497 |
| Leicester | Yes | £1,002,059 | £1,002,059 | £1,002,059 | £3,006,177 |
| Liverpool | No | £577,572 | £1,155,143 | £1,155,143 | £2,887,858 |
| Middlesbrough | Yes | £1,038,313 | £1,038,313 | £1,038,313 | £3,114,939 |
| Nottingham | Yes | £984,853 | £984,853 | £984,853 | £2,954,559 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | Yes | £931,951 | £931,951 | £931,951 | £2,795,853 |
| Sunderland | No | £458,146 | £916,292 | £916,292 | £2,290,730 |
| West Midlands Combined Authority targeting: - Birmingham - Sandwell - Wolverhampton |
No | £1,646,843 | £3,293,686 | £3,293,686 | £8,234,215 |
| Total allocations | £14,462,715 | £18,672,640 | £18,672,640 | £51,807,995 |
Data sources
Funding has been distributed via a formula which takes into account population, the Area Cost Adjustment (ACA) and the Index of Multiple Deprivation:
- the population data is taken from the Office for National Statistics ‘Estimates of the population for England and Wales’ Mid-2024: 2023 local authority boundaries edition, by summing all persons aged 16+ in each upper tier local authority
- the ACA value used is the Foundation Formula ACA (Upper Tier) values published as part of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement: England, 2026-2027 to 2028-2029
- deprivation data is taken from upper tier local authority Indices Multiple Deprivation – Average Score