£18m expansion of Opportunity Areas programme

The Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a £18 million expansion of the Opportunity Areas programme for the fifth year running, which helps vulnerable young people from the most disadvantaged areas in the country.

Funding will go to areas including Blackpool, Derby, Oldham and West Somerset and could be used to help children improve in key subjects such as maths and English, support pupils who are at risk of falling out of education or give older students the confidence and skills to make the leap from school into work.

The plans are part of the government's 'levelling up' agenda, which also includes policies to improve high streets and move jobs outside of London.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: "As the country gets back on its feet, the government has renewed its commitment to levelling up and tackling the issues that really matter to people.

"Making sure our children get the best possible education, transforming our town centres and correcting the regional imbalance of public sector roles – this is levelling up in action.

"Not only will we beat the pandemic and recover from its impact, I am determined to seize the opportunity it presents to create a fairer society, improve lives and build back better once and for all."