Luton Council is to invest £6.3 million a year until 2028/29 in a programme aimed at tackling problems earlier, from unemployment and homelessness to social isolation and unsafe neighbourhoods.
The council says the investment is designed to improve residents’ lives while also reducing the pressure on its finances by preventing people from reaching the point where they need more costly services.
The programme will focus on early intervention, with money being spent on employment support, children and young people, homelessness prevention, support for older and vulnerable residents, cleaner streets and improvements to the town centre.
Among the measures being funded is additional support for young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), as well as an expansion of the council’s employment support through Connect2Work.
The council says the scheme will help hundreds of residents develop skills, find work and improve their financial resilience.
Money will also be used to create community digital hubs and pilot a small grants scheme to help more people develop digital skills and access education, employment and essential online services.
There will be a particular focus on children and young people, including additional support for care leavers.
The programme also includes measures aimed at making a difference to everyday life around Luton.
The council plans to build on recent improvements in the town centre with further work to improve safety, support vulnerable people and expand the programme of events and cultural activities.
A new approach to bins left on pavements will also be introduced, combining education and engagement with enforcement.
Other measures include improved support for people living with dementia and their families, as well as the use of technology to help older and vulnerable residents remain independent for longer.
The council will also invest in homelessness prevention and supported housing services.
Luton Council leader Councillor Tahmina Saleem said the approach was about spending money earlier to avoid bigger problems later.
“This fund is about prevention by investing in people and places earlier,” she said. “We know that helping people early delivers better outcomes. Whether that’s supporting someone into work, helping an older resident remain independent longer, preventing the causes of homelessness or creating cleaner, safer neighbourhoods for all of our wellbeing.
“These investments will improve people’s lives while ensuring every pound spent is impactful.”
The council says the programme is also intended to make its own services more financially sustainable by reducing demand for more intensive support.
“Long-term resilience brought about by early intervention and investment goes hand in hand with better outcomes for residents,” Cllr Saleem said.
“That is what counts. By modernising services, embracing technology and intervening earlier, we can help residents live healthier, more independent lives while ensuring the council remains financially sustainable.”
Luton North MP, Sarah Owen, said: “This is the difference a Labour council, with Labour MPs and a Labour government makes.
“I know some people will say, “why make it political?” because it was a political choice to cut millions of pounds from our town between 2010 and 2024, and it’s a political choice that the government are choosing to invest in places like Luton, where we need it.
“With the £40+million Pride in Place funding, to a new mental health hub, cricket dome, increased access to free bus travel for children and people with disabilities – change may not come fast enough for some people, but it is coming.”
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