Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, whether he is taking steps to help ensure that local authorities provide resources and facilities to enable groups from all racial backgrounds to self organise and to access spaces that meet their social needs.

Community spaces have a significant role to play in developing social networks, encouraging community participation, and promoting civic pride. Local authorities along with other public services and the voluntary and community sector do support groups from all backgrounds to access spaces and facilities which enable neighbourhoods to thrive and flourish.

In the Levelling Up White Paper we set out plans to work with partners in local government to develop a new Strategy for Community Spaces and Relationships. The Strategy will provide the framework which supports strong community infrastructure and bolsters community connection.

In addition, the 4-year £150 million Community Ownership Fund, is currently providing community groups with the financial help and practical support to bring local assets at risk of loss by bring them into community ownership.

Finally, our response to the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities' findings, 'Inclusive Britain', sets out a ground-breaking action plan to tackle negative disparities, promote unity and build a fairer Britain for all.