Selected local authorities will receive a share of £16.4m to help them access a fund aimed at boosting town centres and improving infrastructure, Whitehall has announced.

The capacity funding will support councils in the 100 areas chosen as sites for Town Deals as they formulate bids for funding of up to £25m as part of the Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund.

The communities and local government secretary Robert?Jenrick has also announced the publication of the Towns Fund prospectus to help councils design their bids.?

The funding could be used to redevelop vacant buildings and land, drive private sector investment by supporting small businesses and providing young people with the skills they need to get good jobs.

Communities will also be able to consider how they can boost their transport links and increase access to high-speed broadband.

‘This Government is committed to levelling up all parts of the country. We created the £3.6bn Towns Fund to help businesses grow, connect communities and give people the skills they need to succeed,’ Mr Jenrick said.

‘But no place is exactly the same. That is why we want to help local people to decide how this investment of up to £25m in each town can be used to help create new businesses, new jobs and new homes for generations to come.’