Reeves urged to fund libraries, parks and social centres in left-behind areas

Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods calls for spending on mission critical' local regeneration schemes

Red wall" Labour MPs are urging Rachel Reeves to fund grassroots social infrastructure" such as parks, community centres and libraries, as well as high-profile transport projects, to ensure voters in left-behind areas can benefit from growth.

The Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon), chaired by the Labour peer Hilary Armstrong and supported by a string of backbenchers, has identified 613 mission critical" local areas.