Levelling-up Fund 2022-10-12
2022-10-12
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is seeking details on the impact of levelling-up funds allocated to Scotland, which is a part of the broader programme aimed at reducing regional disparities.
What recent assessment have the Government made of the effect of the levelling-up fund in Scotland?
We have invested £172 million in Scotland in round 1 of the levelling-up fund, which is around 10% of the total UK funding. In March, we published a monitoring and evaluation strategy for the levelling-up fund. Further updates on the strategy will be published in due course, and results of round 2 will be announced later this year.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is interested in how the levelling-up fund has been used to support tourism and visitor economies, especially after noting an example of investment in Eastbourne.
In my beautiful constituency of Eastbourne, we are busy working to ensure that £20 million of Government levelling-up funding is energising and growing the visitor economy. My question is: how is the levelling-up fund doing the same in Scotland to ensure that all parts of the United Kingdom can capitalise on and consolidate the staycation market?
Levelling-up measures are all about delivering local priorities and pride in place, which go hand in hand towards creating a sustainable tourist economy. The £150 million community ownership fund is allowing us to put cultural and heritage assets back in the hands of local people across the whole United Kingdom.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide specific details on how levelling-up funds are directly supporting tourism in Scotland's staycation market.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the government's advice to the Scottish Government regarding potential tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals, suggesting it could negatively impact levelling-up projects in Scotland.
What would the impact have been on levelling-up projects if the Scottish Government had followed the advice of the Scottish Conservatives to give these unfunded and catastrophic tax cuts to the wealthiest in our society? Will the Secretary of State now apologise to the Scottish Government for insisting that they follow this disastrous and reckless course of action?
The hon. Member is conflating two issues. The reality is that the levelling-up funds, of which there are £200 million in the current round, are being well received across Scotland. That is real devolution in practice. All local authorities are engaging with the UK Government—and guess what? They are enthusiastic when it comes to applying for money to help local projects.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address the specific impact of tax cuts on levelling-up projects or apologize for any advice given.
Response accuracy