Levelling up
Levelling up project delays ‘astonishing’
Parliament’s spending watchdog has found ‘astonishing’ funding delays and blind optimism have blunted the impact of levelling up projects.
Has the levelling up agenda died or is it only resting?
Levelling-up's recent political incarnation was designed to appeal to voters with a four-year attention span, says Heather Jameson. 'It was only a matter of time before the public noticed there was little life in the bird.'
Experts in fresh push for fiscal devolution
An independent group of experts is preparing to pile pressure on ministers to back fiscal devolution, The MJ understands.
Recruitment conundrums and economic development
A key challenge for councils building economic development teams is understanding where to prioritise the service skills, while many candidates are opting for the contractor market, says Penna.
Growth matters
Tom Stannard talks to Ann McGauran about why strengthening local government’s economic development and regeneration role is crucial if the UK is to drive forward on growth.
More areas get level four devolution powers
West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the Liverpool city region will all receive level four devolved powers, local government secretary Michael Gove has announced.
Levelling up requires ‘meaningful’ devolution, business group says
Business leaders have called for ‘meaningful decision-making powers’ to be devolved to local authorities to help boost left-behind regions.
The search for the Holy Grail of growth
In an exclusive interview, Lord Heseltine, the longstanding advocate of elected mayors, tells Michael Burton why powerful, devolved local government is essential for delivering the growth agenda.
Council tax bands need a regional overhaul
Heather Jameson asks: 'Will any incoming government rush to reform council tax? Will they be braver and take on wider public finance reform?'
Council to consider levelling up fund judicial review
Durham County Council will consider seeking a judicial review into how the Government allocated levelling up funding after the authority spent £1.2m on failed bids.
Hope amid the gloom
The coming year may look bleak but outgoing chief executive of the Centre for Progressive Policy Charlotte Alldritt says the inclusive growth agenda leaves her with lots of hope.
Levelling up must continue, urges think-tank
Efforts to level up the country and devolve more powers to local government should continue following the General Election, a think-tank has urged.
Levelling up funding missing left behind neighbourhoods
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is not reaching the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods, a new report published by MPs has concluded.
‘Bad health blackspots’ hold back growth
Stark health inequalities are restricting economic growth, new research has found.
Breathing new life into a cultural jewel
The power of culture is transforming a much-loved historic hall in Wigan. Once completed its impact will be profound in addressing deep-rooted inequalities, says Alison Mckenzie-Folan
MPs criticise ‘glacial’ progress of levelling up projects
Mandarins from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) faced the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Government speeds up shift of Whitehall jobs out of London
The Government has brought forward plans to move 22,000 civil service jobs out of London as part of its levelling up agenda.
Levelling up’s showbiz touch
Last week’s Chanel fashion spectacle in Manchester was a global triumph for the city, but addressing regional inequalities still remains a huge challenge for the next Government, says Michael Burton.
Lincs district considers asylum ruling appeal
West Lindsey DC is likely to appeal a High Court decision to allow the Home Office to place an asylum centre on a former military base earmarked for a £300m regeneration project.
Meet the Department for Levelling Down
Calling an entity a Levelling Up Department, doesn’t make it level things up, especially when its efforts are tokenistic and subject to political interference, says Cllr Graham Chapman.