Levelling Up White Paper
Yesterday saw the release of the HM Government’s Levelling Up White Paper. Levelling up is intended to be a moral, social and economic programme for the whole of government. The Levelling Up White Paper is a flagship document that sets out how HM Government will spread opportunity more equally across the UK. It comprises a programme of systems change, including 12 UK-wide missions to anchor the government’s agenda to 2030, alongside specific policy interventions that build on the 2021 Spending Review to deliver change now.
It aims to be rooted in evidence demonstrating that a mix of factors is needed to transform places and boost local growth: strong innovation and a climate conducive to private sector investment, better skills, improved transport systems, greater access to culture, stronger pride in place, deeper trust, greater safety and more resilient institutions.
The White Paper sets out the next stages in this programme to level up the UK.
However, it appears that Cumbria will see little immediate funding, and many of the things that are mentioned, such as Town Funds, are already known. Unfortunately the Levelling Up White Paper may not provide the sort of positive news that businesses across Cumbria were hoping for.
Suzanne Caldwell, Managing Director, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce said:
“While this is an important first step in putting local economic prosperity at the heart of Government policy, it is only a first step and the ambitions must quickly be turned into actions.
It’s good to see policies the Chamber network has long campaigned for – such as UK-wide infrastructure reaching London standards, widespread 5G internet, local skills planning and devolution of funding decisions to the local level – take real significance and be enshrined in law.
While as a Local Skills Improvement Plan Trailblazer, we’re clearly behind local skills planning, from a Cumbrian perspective this long awaited document is immensely disappointing. While other areas are highlighted for specific activities and new or enhanced devolution it appears that Cumbria has been largely neglected in terms devolution, new initiatives and new money. It’s disappointing to see re-announcements rather than new activity.
There’s also a real need for detail on the role local business leaders will have in oversight and delivery of the missions set out. And where necessary additional funding must be made available to drive change.”
Shevaun Havilland, Director General British Chambers of Commerce said:
“Government must not forget the role that local businesses play in creating opportunity and prosperity in their communities and should continue to work with British Chambers of Commerce and others to identify further ways to improve the business environment and enable more firms to grow and thrive.
Devolution must be shaped by business knowledge of local and regional needs, and be accountable to local businesses and communities. It is vital that time and energy spend on structural changes results in the acceleration of genuine uplifts to prosperity in our regions and nations.”
© Cumbria Chamber of Commerce