Prime Minister Sir Keir Starter told Parliament that “Southport cannot be defined by what happened” in the tragedy in 2024 in which three young girls were killed.
He responded after Southport MP Patrick Hurley spoke at Prime Minister’s Questions to seek financial support to further improve Southport through Pride in Place funding.
The Pride in Place Programme was announced by the Government in September 2025 as a 10-year, £5 billion fund aimed at revitalising 339 of the country’s most deprived communities.
Its primary goal is to empower local people – residents, local businesses, civil society, and community organisations – to lead decision-making on projects that best address their neighbourhoods’ needs.
Speaking in the House Of Commons, Southport MP Patrick Hurley said: “I would like to thank the Prime Minister firstly for the words earlier in relation to the horrific attack in my constituency, and also for the work that the Government is now doing as a result.
“The families affected do not want their lives defined by the attack.
“And we must not allow my great town to be defined by it either.
“That’s why I’m asking for the Prime Minister’s help to ensure that my town’s best days lie ahead of it.
“My council is helping to bring the empty town centre properties back into residential use.
“It’s a much needed corrective after years of decline and neglect.
“But more needs to be done.
“So does the Prime Minister agree with me that our town centres need place based funding?
“And will he back me in my bid for Southport to be included in the next round of Pride In Place support?”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: “Can I just say, having sat with him and the families of those impacted in Southport in his constituency a number of times, can I just thank him for everything that he did and is continuing to do in response to that awful attack.
“And can I agree with him wholeheartedly that Southport cannot be defined by what happened in that awful, tragic incident and therefore he is right to have the pride that he does have in his community.
“I’m delighted we’re investing in reopening the iconic Southport Pier.
“We’re investing £5.8 billion in our Pride In Place fund to cut power and resources and put them into the hands of nearly 300 communities.”
After Prime Minister’s Questions, Patrick Hurley said: “The attack, whilst the most horrifying event this town has faced, cannot and will not be allowed to be its defining memory.
“The families of those we lost deserve to be remembered with love, not defined by an act of hatred that does not reflect this town or its people.
“I take pride in the collective strength of this community, and at Prime Minister’s Questions this week I asked the Prime Minister directly to back Southport’s bid for Pride in Place funding, to ensure our town centre gets the investment and attention it deserves.
“With £5.8 billion being invested through the Pride in Place fund, I will be doing everything I can to make sure Southport gets its share.
“Our town’s best days lie ahead of it.”
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