Levelling-up Fund 2023-12-04

2023-12-04

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
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The MP asked about recent assessments on how well the Levelling-Up Fund is distributing funding across all parts of the UK.
What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the levelling-up fund at distributing funding across all parts of the UK?
On Monday 20 November we announced that a further £1 billion will be invested in 55 projects across Great Britain, from Bolton to Elgin, and from Newcastle to Rhyl. In the third round we have targeted funding at places across Great Britain that are most in need, as assessed through our levelling-up needs metrics. We have also ensured the best possible regional spread of projects, so that every part of Great Britain benefits from the fund over its lifetime. Further details are set out in a published methodology note.
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Q2 Partial Answer
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The MP highlighted successful projects in Pembrokeshire, comparing them to EU funding schemes, questioning the effectiveness of new levelling-up pots.
With new money helping Pembrokeshire County Council to regenerate Haverfordwest town centre, with community ownership funding enabling the villagers of Hayscastle Cross to save their local pub, and with new investment in Visit Pembrokeshire to improve accessibility for tourists visiting the county, does the Minister agree that, compared with the clunky, difficult-to-access EU funding schemes, these new pots of levelling-up money are being distributed far more effectively to all parts of the United Kingdom?
My right hon. Friend is right that the efforts we are making in Pembrokeshire, in part thanks to him and other Members of Parliament for the county, demonstrate levelling up in action in his part of Wales. I am delighted to continue working with him on that.
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Q3 Partial Answer
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The MP commended the effectiveness of the £13.3 million investment and the newly announced £160 million investment zone for Wrexham, Clwyd South and Flintshire.
Does the Minister agree that Clwyd South's £13.3 million of levelling-up projects in the Trevor basin, Llangollen and Corwen, which I recently visited, and the newly announced £160 million investment zone for Wrexham, Clwyd South and Flintshire are shining examples of the effectiveness of levelling up galvanising investment and activity in north-east Wales?
My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion for his constituents in Clwyd South, and for constituents in Shropshire as well. I completely agree that the £13.3 million investment from the levelling-up fund will protect a valuable heritage site for north Wales, an area enjoyed by locals, while encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend more in local shops, cafés and campsites. The recently announced investment zone in Wrexham and Flintshire also demonstrates our commitment to levelling up investment in research, innovation and support for economic development in the region.
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Q4 Partial Answer
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The MP requested £3 million for a roundabout in Sheringham but the local council has not been able to attract levelling-up or community renewal funding.
My local council has sadly been unable to attract any levelling-up funding or community renewal funding into North Norfolk. As I have repeatedly requested in this place, I need just £3 million for a roundabout at the top of Holway Road in Sheringham, but £3 million is too small for a levelling-up bid and too much for Norfolk County Council. In the spirit of Christmas, how can the Minister give me a present of £3 million for a roundabout in North Norfolk?
I wish I could give my hon. Friend a Christmas present. I recognise his work, campaigning on behalf of the people of Sheringham for the improvement of the A148 Holway Road junction. I know he is already engaging closely with Norfolk County Council on the project. The £600 million investment fund, agreed through the Norfolk county deal, will provide the county council with the local means to fund exactly this sort of project, with the first tranche of funding due to be available next year. If there is anything further I can do, I would be delighted to work with him and with colleagues in the Department for Transport to progress this project.
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Q5 Partial Answer
Sammy Wilson DUP
East Antrim
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The MP questioned why Northern Ireland did not receive any levelling-up funding in the last round.
The Minister will not have too much difficulty assessing the effectiveness of the levelling-up fund in Northern Ireland, because Northern Ireland is the only country in the United Kingdom not to receive one penny in the last round of levelling-up funding. He will not level with the people of Northern Ireland, giving the spurious excuse that, because an Executive has not been formed, he cannot allocate the money. What discussions does he need to have with the Northern Ireland Executive that he did not have with the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Parliament or any local authority in England before allocating money there?
The right hon. Gentleman and I have had numerous conversations to that effect. Northern Ireland has benefited from £120 million in rounds 1 and 2 of the levelling-up fund but, in the context of growing pressure on Northern Ireland budgets, it is right that the UK Government should consider their approach to the funding available for Northern Ireland in this round. In LUF3, £30 million has been reserved for Northern Ireland and, as part of our commitment to levelling up, we will work with the restored Executive to find the best approach to supporting people in Northern Ireland. I again confirm to the right hon. Gentleman that I will work with him and others, once the Executive are back up and running, to see how we can best level up his community.
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Q6 Partial Answer
Helen Morgan Lib Dem
North Shropshire
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The MP highlighted the lack of levelling-up funding in Whitchurch and its loss of civic centre.
Whitchurch in my constituency has not received any levelling-up funding, whether from the levelling-up fund itself, the towns fund or the future high streets fund. Now it has found itself without a civic centre because of dangerous reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, so it has lost its library, registry office and driving test centre, which was soon to be reopened following a long campaign by myself and others. Will the Minister meet me to work out what we can do to put that important building back into the heart of Whitchurch?
I would be happy to meet the hon. Member.
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Q7 Partial Answer
Justin Madders Lab
Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
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The Resolution Foundation's report on economic stagnation highlights the need for greater financial devolution across all areas, not just favoured few.
One of the speakers at today's event was Andy Haldane from the Levelling Up Advisory Council, who mentioned that greater financial devolution is needed in all regions. Does the Minister agree with him and believe more economic devolution is required?
I agree with Andy Haldane that more financial devolution is needed in all regions. The government has followed its devolution framework, expanding it to over 60% of England and investing £13 billion into local communities. This includes significant projects like Teesside's freeport and town deals for various towns.
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Did not provide specific commitments or timeline on implementing financial devolution across all regions as asked
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Q8 Partial Answer
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The community renewal fund was established to address regional disparities. Academics from the University of Manchester have found that some regions are not benefiting equally.
Academics from the University of Manchester reported that the community renewal fund favoured the south of England at the expense of other regions. How does the Minister think levelling up is going?
We have committed over £13.9 billion to communities across the UK, including Scotland. We will publish details of the levelling-up missions at a later date.
Assessment & feedback
Did not evaluate the effectiveness or provide specifics on regional inequalities addressed by the programme
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Q9 Partial Answer
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Academics from the University of Manchester found that the community renewal fund distributed funds unequally, benefiting some regions more than others.
University of Manchester academics reported that £9.9 million went to the south of England at the expense of other regions through the community renewal fund. Does the Minister agree that this trend shows his Department's plans are doing little to tackle regional inequalities?
I completely disagree with the findings. The biggest recipients of the levelling-up fund are the north-west, north-east, and Yorkshire and Humber regions.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific distribution trends or acknowledge any regional disparities in funding allocation
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