Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling Up Communities

Wednesday 16 March 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Eight Scottish projects received 171 million from the first round of the levelling-up fund.
  • Round 2 of the levelling-up fund will open in spring, alongside the UK shared prosperity fund with 2.6 billion by March 2025.
  • A new islands forum is established to facilitate dialogue between island communities and the Government.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Duncan Baker
Economy Scotland Local Government
Context

The question concerns the implementation of levelling-up initiatives in Scotland, specifically addressing disparities and economic challenges.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to level up communities across Scotland. Eight Scottish projects are receiving a share of £171 million from round 1 of the levelling-up fund, which will create jobs and boost productivity. How does this continue in future rounds?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The benefits of round 1 have already been realised with £171 million allocated to eight projects. Round 2 will open in spring, alongside another major fund, the UK shared prosperity fund, providing £2.6 billion by March 2025.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how round 2 funding will be distributed or if it targets specific areas of Scotland.

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Q2 Duncan Baker
Scotland Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question addresses the need for targeted support in rural parts of Scotland, emphasizing inclusivity from islands to lowlands.

Question

What levelling-up plans are there specifically for the rural areas of Scotland? The Outer Hebrides, Orkney, highlands and lowlands should all benefit. How does this happen?

Answer from Iain Stewart

All parts of Scotland will receive a share of the UK shared prosperity fund with £2.6 billion allocated by March 2025, and a new islands forum is established in the levelling-up White Paper to facilitate dialogue between island communities and the Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify how the fund will be distributed or ensure outcomes can be measured against recognisable targets.

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Q3 Deidre Brock SNP
Economy Scotland Wales Local Government
Context

The question criticises the uneven and potentially politically motivated distribution of levelling-up funds, seeking to improve collaboration with devolved governments for better outcomes.

Question

A former European regional development fund recipient criticised levelling-up funding as akin to random confetti due to its unpredictability and potential for political favouritism. Why won't the Government work directly with devolved Governments to ensure dovetailing of efforts?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The hon. Member's constituency benefits from multimillion-pound investment in Granton regeneration, making her position contradictory to criticism of pork-barrel politics.

Not addressed: Did not address the concerns about funding distribution or collaboration with devolved governments.

How: Redirecting The Question Back At The Mp

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