Pride in Place Programme phase 2: methodology note
Published 25 September 2025
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1. Overview of the programme
The Pride in Place Programme (PiPP) is a UK-wide programme providing a 10-year investment to disadvantaged neighbourhoods. PiPP Phase 2 builds on the existing Phase 1 which is providing 75 towns across the UK with up to £20 million each (totalling £1.5 billion) over 10 years.
Phase 2 funds an additional 169 neighbourhoods across Great Britain with their own £20 million over 10 years. The programme aims to build strong, resilient and integrated communities that are essential for achieving the government’s Five Missions and fulfilling the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.
While each nation has tailored its methodology to reflect local need and data availability, all share a commitment to targeting the places most in need and spreading benefits across each nation.
For Northern Ireland, corresponding funding will be made available. MHCLG and the Northern Ireland Office will work in partnership with the NI Executive to determine the appropriate delivery approach. Further detail, including how we will support Belfast, will follow in due course.
2. Methodological principles
Across England, Scotland, and Wales, the following features are consistent:
- Focus on need: All methodologies use a composite measure of deprivation (Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD)) and community need (Community Needs Index (CNI)), to identify areas with the poorest social and economic outcomes and create a single index of need. Deprivation refers to a lack of material resource and access to opportunities, while community need captures challenges such as poor access to services, limited community infrastructure, and low civic participation. The most deprived areas are then selected to receive funding.
- Exclusion of PiPP Phase 1 areas: Phase 2 funding is directed to areas not already supported in Phase 1 to spread funding equitably.
- Geographic spread: All nations apply further caps to broaden geographic distribution.
The following sections outline the respective selection methodologies by nation. The total programme of 169 neighbourhoods is apportioned in line with mid-year 2023 Barnett shares:
| Nation | Number of funded neighbourhoods |
|---|---|
| England | 146 |
| Scotland | 14 |
| Wales | 9 |
3. Nation-specific methodologies
3.1 England
England will receive funding for 146 neighbourhoods. For the purposes of selecting places, “neighbourhoods” are approximated as 2021 Middle layer Super Output Areas (MSOAs). The funded MSOAs are selected from the 6,856 MSOAs in England using a combined IMD and CNI score. The methodology follows 6 steps:
Step 1: Translate data to 2025 geographic boundaries
- The 2019 IMD is published for each 2011 Lower layer Super Output Area (LSOA). These boundaries are now outdated, so IMD scores are translated to 2021 LSOAs using the exact-fit lookup from the ONS Geography Portal.
- There are 4 types of relationships between 2011 and 2021 LSOAs, each requiring a different translation method:
| Relationship between 2011 and 2021 LSOA | Method of translating 2011 measure to 2021 geography |
|---|---|
| Direct – 2011 LSOA is the same as 2021 LSOA | The IMD scores from the 2011 LSOA are directly applied to the new 2021 LSOA. |
| Split – 2011 LSOA split into 2+ 2021 LSOAs | All the new 2021 LSOA are assigned the score of the 2011 LSOA that is split. |
| Merged – multiple 2011 LSOAs merged into one 2021 LSOA | Each 2021 LSOA is assigned a score based on the population-weighted average of the 2011 LSOAs that are merged to create it. |
| Irregular – fragmented relationship | For irregular and fragmented matches, constituent Output Areas (OAs) are examined using the 2011 OA to 2021 OA best-fit look up. Scores are assigned to 2021 LSOAs based on the proportion of 2011 OAs that comprised each new area. |
- The 2023 CNI is already available at 2021 LSOA geographies and did not require translation.
Step 2: Aggregate need measures to MSOA level
- IMD and CNI scores are aggregated to MSOA-level using population-weighted averages of their constituent 2021 LSOAs. This process is applied separately for both IMD and CNI, to create a CNI measure and an IMD measure for each MSOA.
Step 3: Calculate combined need index and rank neighbourhoods
- IMD and CNI scores are standardised using z-scores:
Standardized IMD z-score for MSOA = (MSOA IMD score – Mean IMD) / Standard Deviation
Where:
Mean = Mean average IMD score across all MSOAs in England
Standard Deviation = Standard Deviation of IMD scores across all MSOAs in England
The same calculation applies for CNI scores.
- The two z-scores are added with equal weighting to form a combined index for each 2021 MSOA.
- MSOAs are then ranked in descending order, from most in need to least in need.
Step 4: Allocate MSOAs to a single Parliamentary Constituency (PC)
- All MSOAs are assigned to a 2024 PC. While in most cases, MSOAs fall exactly into one PC, some MSOA boundaries span across PC boundaries.
- MSOAs are therefore assigned to a single PC based on the location of the MSOAs’ population-weighted centroid, as published by the ONS. The population-weighted centroid is a single point that represents the centre of population distribution within a geographic area.
- Each MSOA is allocated to the PC that its centroid falls into. This gives a unique allocation to a single PC for all MSOAs that is reflective of the distribution of their population.
Step 5: Remove neighbourhoods funded in PiPP Phase 1
- To ensure that Phase 2 funding targets new areas not already covered by Phase 1, MSOAs are excluded from receiving any Phase 2 funding if they sit within a PC that received funding in Phase 1. Phase 1 funding was allocated using Built-Up Areas (BUAs) rather than MSOAs.
- All Phase 1 BUAs are assigned to a single PC. BUA boundaries do not align exactly with PC boundaries. For consistency with Step 4, each BUA is assigned to a PC by looking at the location of their constituent MSOA’s population-weighted centroids. MSOAs are allocated to BUAs using the ONS best-fit look-up.
- In most cases all of a BUA’s constituent MSOA centroids falls within a single PC, to which it is then attributed. In cases where they do not, the BUA is attributed to a PC if at least 50% of its constituent MSOAs’ centroids are within that PC. There are no cases where this leaves a Phase 1 BUA unattributed to a single PC.
- Following this attribution process, all MSOAs within PCs with a Phase 1 BUA are excluded from receiving funding.
Step 6: Select most in need neighbourhoods
- From the remaining pool of MSOAs, the 146 most in need MSOAs are selected in order of need (most to least), based on the combined need index described in Step 3. To ensure geographic spread, PCs are limited to receiving funding for their most in need MSOA.
3.2 Scotland
Scotland receives funding for 14 neighbourhoods. The selection methodology focuses on selecting the local authorities within which the neighbourhoods will be selected at a later stage. The selection draws on data from the 1,279 Intermediate Zones (IZ) in Scotland, using a combined score based on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) and the Scottish Community Needs Index (SCNI). The methodology follows 4 steps:
Step 1: Aggregate need measures to IZ level
- The 2020 SIMD is published at 2011 Data Zone (DZ) level; this has been aggregated to 2011 IZ level using population-weighted averages of their constituent DZs.
Step 2: Calculate combined need index and rank neighbourhoods
- First, the SCNI is ranked from most in need to least in need, to align with the order in which the SIMD is published.
- The SCNI rank and the SIMD ranks are combined using a 75:25 weighted average to form a combined index for each 2011 IZ.[footnote 1]
- IZs are then ranked in descending order, from most in need to least in need.
Step 3: Calculate a local authority need score based on its share of neighbourhoods in need
- Each local authority’s relative need score is calculated by multiplying their share of high-need IZs (top quintile nationally) by 24 (representing the total PiPP neighbourhoods across both phases).
- The score is then adjusted and capped such that:
- The local authority’s score is capped at the number of PCs that overlap, wholly or partially, with that local authority; or a flat score of two (to represent funding once in each of Phase 1 and Phase 2); whichever is lower.
- Then, if a local authority was funded in Phase 1, its allowance is further reduced by one.
Step 4: Allocate final number of neighbourhoods to local authorities based on Step 3 score
- Funding is allocated to each local authority from highest to lowest score, reducing the score by one each time a local authority is allocated funding. This is repeated until Scotland’s national entitlement (14) is exhausted.
- In case of a tie between local authorities, funding is allocated to the local authority with the higher average ranking across its top-quintile IZs.[footnote 2] [footnote 3]
3.3 Wales
Wales will receive funding for 9 neighbourhoods. As for Scotland, the selection methodology focuses on identifying the local authorities within which the neighbourhoods will then be selected at a later stage. The selection uses a combined score based on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) and the Welsh Community Needs Index (WCNI). The methodology follows 5 steps:
Step 1: Aggregate WIMD and CNI need measures to local authority level
- The WIMD (2019) is published at 2011 LSOA level. LA-level WIMD scores are calculated as population-weighted averages of their constituent 2011 LSOAs.
- The WCNI (2021) is published at 2021 MSOA level. Local authority-level WCNI scores are therefore also calculated as population-weighted averages of their constituent MSOAs, with MSOA populations derived by summing 2021 LSOA populations.
- Local authorities are then ranked for each metric in descending order, with higher scores indicating greater need.
Step 2: Identify the share of deprived neighbourhoods in each local authority
- MSOA-level WIMD scores are calculated using population-weighted averages of 2011 LSOAs.
- MSOAs are ranked from most to least deprived to identify the top quintile (82 MSOAs) across Wales.
- For each local authority, the number of MSOAs in the top quintile is counted and divided by the total (82) to calculate each local authority’s share of top-quintile MSOAs.
- Local authorities are then ranked in descending order based on this share.
Step 3: Calculate combined need index and rank local authorities accordingly
- The three metrics are combined using a 25:25:50 weighted average to form a composite ranking:
- WIMD rank (25%) as identified in Step 1
- WCNI rank (25%) as identified in Step 1
- Share of top-quintile MSOAs (50%) as identified in Step 2
- Local authorities are then ranked in descending order, from most in need to least in need.
Step 4: Remove local authorities funded in PiPP Phase 1
- All local authorities that received Phase 1 funding are excluded from Phase 2 funding.
Step 5: Apply geographic cap and select final local authorities in order of need
- A cap of 5 local authorities receiving funding per Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) is applied. Local authorities not in the 5 most deprived per CJC are excluded.
- From the remaining pool of local authorities, the top 9 with the highest combined need index are selected.
4. Place selection
4.1 England place selection
| Local authority | Number of neighbourhoods | Neighbourhood names |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | 8 | Hawkesley; Druids Heath; Glebe Farm; Kingstanding South East; Woodgate; Sparkbrook North; Fox Hollies; Nechells |
| Liverpool | 4 | Speke East; Everton East; Norris Green East; Fairfield West & Newsham Park |
| Manchester | 4 | Benchill South & Wythenshawe Central; Hapurhey South & Monsall; Clayton Vale; Gorton South |
| Leeds | 4 | Middleton Park Avenue; Seacroft North & Monkswood; Farnley East; Armley & New Wortley |
| Kingston upon Hull, City of | 3 | Orchard Park; Greatfield; Boulevard & St Andrew’s Quay |
| Wirral | 3 | Birkenhead Central; Seacombe; Woodchurch |
| County Durham | 3 | Peterlee East; Stanley South; Crook North & Tow Law |
| Leicester | 3 | Eyres Monsell; Braunstone Park West; Thurnby Lodge |
| North Northamptonshire | 3 | Corby Kingswood; Queensway (North Northamptonshire); Kettering Avondale Grange |
| Cumberland | 3 | Raffles & Morton; Flimby, Ellenborough & Broughton Moor; Mirehouse, Kells & Woodhouse |
| Doncaster | 3 | Conisbrough North; New Rossington; Mexborough West |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 2 | Bentilee & Ubberley; Meir North |
| Middlesbrough | 2 | Thorntree; Park End |
| Sheffield | 2 | Batemoor & Jordanthorpe; Parson Cross |
| Bradford | 2 | Holme Wood; Ravenscliffe |
| Wigan | 2 | Laithwaite & Marsh Green; Platt Bridge & Spring View |
| Swindon | 2 | Penhill; Walcot East |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 2 | Walker North; Elswick South |
| Salford | 2 | Pendleton; Peel Green |
| Nottingham | 2 | Broxtowe & Cinderhill; St Ann’s East |
| Portsmouth | 2 | Paulsgrove East; Fratton West |
| Wakefield | 2 | Lupset; Featherstone |
| Plymouth | 2 | Devonport, Mount Wise & Morice Town; St Budeaux |
| Havant | 2 | Leigh Park; Cowplain West |
| Peterborough | 2 | Orton Malborne & Goldhay; Paston |
| East Suffolk | 2 | Lowestoft Central; Felixstowe West |
| East Riding of Yorkshire | 2 | Bridlington West; Withernsea East & Patrington |
| Southampton | 2 | Weston (Southampton); Redbridge & Millbrook West |
| Basildon | 2 | Chalvedon; Laindon Central |
| Sunderland | 2 | Thorney Close & Plains Farm; Hendon & Docks |
| Cheshire West and Chester | 2 | Blacon South; Ellesmere Port Town & Rossmore |
| Norwich | 2 | Bowthorpe & West Earlham; Heartsease & Pilling Park |
| Blackpool | 1 | Little Layton & Little Carleton |
| Stockport | 1 | Brinnington |
| Tameside | 1 | Hattersley |
| Bristol, City of | 1 | Hartcliffe |
| Worcester | 1 | Warndon West |
| Knowsley | 1 | Page Moss & Fincham |
| Maidstone | 1 | Parkwood & Senacre |
| Sefton | 1 | Bootle South |
| Lincoln | 1 | Birchwood West |
| Halton | 1 | Hough Green |
| Stockton-on-Tees | 1 | Central Stockton & Portrack |
| Westmorland and Furness | 1 | Barrow Central |
| Coventry | 1 | Willenhall |
| Erewash | 1 | Cotmanhay |
| Swale | 1 | Sheppey East |
| East Lindsey | 1 | Mablethorpe |
| Sandwell | 1 | Friar Park |
| Rochdale | 1 | Hurstead & Smallbridge |
| Havering | 1 | Harold Hill East |
| Telford and Wrekin | 1 | Woodside |
| Bolton | 1 | Breightmet North |
| Brighton and Hove | 1 | Whitehawk |
| West Lancashire | 1 | Skelmersdale South East |
| Colchester | 1 | Greenstead |
| Solihull | 1 | Chelmsley Wood East |
| Rotherham | 1 | Maltby East |
| South Tyneside | 1 | Biddick Hill |
| Wyre Forest | 1 | Birchen Coppice |
| Preston | 1 | Ribbleton |
| Gateshead | 1 | Beacon Lough & Wrekenton |
| Lancaster | 1 | Morecambe West End |
| St. Helens | 1 | Town Centre East & Fingerpost |
| Calderdale | 1 | Mixenden |
| Warrington | 1 | Hulme |
| Somerset | 1 | Bridgwater South |
| Croydon | 1 | New Addington North |
| Herefordshire, County of | 1 | Hereford South West |
| Wyre | 1 | Fleetwood Town |
| Walsall | 1 | Blakenall South |
| North Somerset | 1 | Weston Bournville |
| West Lindsey | 1 | Gainsborough West |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 1 | Shadsworth & Intack |
| Redditch | 1 | Greenlands |
| Wolverhampton | 1 | Low Hill |
| North Tyneside | 1 | Percy Main |
| Dorset | 1 | Broadwey & Littlemoor |
| Tamworth | 1 | Glascote Heath |
| Gosport | 1 | Rowner |
| North East Derbyshire | 1 | Grassmoor & Holmewood |
| Torbay | 1 | Blatchcombe & Blagdon |
| Crawley | 1 | Bewbush |
| Derby | 1 | Chaddesden West |
| Oldham | 1 | Alt |
| North East Lincolnshire | 1 | Immingham & Habrough |
| Wiltshire | 1 | Salisbury Bemerton |
| Nuneaton and Bedworth | 1 | Camp Hill |
| Southend-on-Sea | 1 | Shoeburyness |
| Bury | 1 | Radcliffe |
| Oxford | 1 | Greater Leys |
| Arun | 1 | Wick & Toddington |
| Bath and North East Somerset | 1 | Twerton |
| West Suffolk | 1 | Lakenheath |
| Dover | 1 | Buckland & St Radigunds |
4.2 Scotland place selection
| Local authority | Number of neighbourhoods | Neighbourhood names |
|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen City | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| City of Edinburgh | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Falkirk | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Fife | 2 | Two unique neighbourhoods to be selected at later stage. |
| Glasgow City | 2 | Two unique neighbourhoods to be selected at later stage. |
| Highland | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| North Ayrshire | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| North Lanarkshire | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| South Ayrshire | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| South Lanarkshire | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Na h-Eileanan Siar | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| West Lothian | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
4.3 Wales place selection
| Local authority | Number of neighbourhoods | Neighbourhood names |
|---|---|---|
| Blaenau Gwent | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Neath Port Talbot | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Swansea | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Newport | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Cardiff | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Caerphilly | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Carmarthenshire | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
| Conwy | 1 | Neighbourhood to be selected at later stage. |
-
For example, if an IZ had a SCNI ranking of 4, and a SIMD ranking of 8, they would have a combined ranking of: (0.754)+(0.258)=5. ↩
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This occurs between Aberdeen City and Clackmannanshire, with the allocation awarded to Aberdeen City due to its higher average ranking. ↩
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In the case of South Ayrshire and East Ayrshire, East Ayrshire is not allocated a second PiPP as the cap is met through the existing Kilmarnock Phase 1 neighbourhood, and a South Ayrshire Phase 2 allocation to a PC that spans both local authorities. ↩