Levelling Up Across the UK

Answer from Simon Clarke

The levelling-up White Paper sets out a clear plan to level up every corner of the United Kingdom, including a mission to increase productivity and improve living standards in every part of the UK by 2030. We will do this through the record funding allocated in the 2021 spending review, including £1.6 billion for the next generation of the British Business Bank's regional investment funds. That sits alongside significant investment in communities through the £4.8 billion levelling-up fund, and giving local areas a greater say in investment, working in partnership with the Government through the £2.6 billion UK shared prosperity fund.

Answer from Simon Clarke

I thank my hon. Friend for her question; she is an outstanding champion for Kensington and, as she rightly says, it is not the case that the levelling-up fund does not have real importance for London and the south-east because there are pockets of deprivation across this country and it is vital that we address them. Over £200 million was allocated in the first round of the levelling-up fund for London and the south-east, and clearly my hon. Friend's council may wish to consider making a bid for the fund's next iteration when that opens.

Answer from Simon Clarke

I really enjoyed my recent visit to Nottinghamshire to meet my hon. Friend and his colleagues. We are clear that devolution sits at the heart of our levelling-up mission and we have said that every part of England that wants a devolution deal can have one by 2030. We want those deals to have a sensible geography, and the strongest and most accountable leadership possible, and I am really encouraged that leaders in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire—including, of course, my hon. Friend—have brought together a really exciting package of proposals.

Answer from Simon Clarke

I pay great tribute to the work that Andy Street has done as Mayor of the West Midlands to drive economic outperformance. I am a convinced believer in the merits of mayoral devolution, which is the best way of ensuring that levelling up is delivered at the fastest possible pace on the ground. I look forward to looking at proposals from the east midlands to ensure that we can unlock as much opportunity there as possible.

Answer from Simon Clarke

I share my hon. Friend's passion for the UK's world-leading life sciences sector. That is why we have invested £5 billion in health research and development, including for delivery of our life sciences vision, as well as £60 million for the life sciences innovative manufacturing fund and £200 million in the life sciences investment programme, all of which institutions in Hertfordshire can benefit from.

Answer from Simon Clarke

I agree that a flourishing export sector is vital. That is, of course, why we are so pleased to be delivering innovative policies in the north-east such as a freeport on Teesside, which is a great example of how we will bolster the export strengths that exist for our current and future employers. We clearly want to work closely with all partners, including the chambers of commerce, who do an excellent job.

Answer from Simon Clarke

We have created a West Midlands mayoralty which is channelling huge amounts of public money into supporting growth and opportunity. We have a programme of action, including the levelling-up fund and commitments around jobs and growth, designed to make a massive difference in regions like Bradford East.

Answer from Simon Clarke

We have a programme of action from the levelling-up fund and wider commitments around jobs and growth which will make a massive difference in regions such as Bradford. We created a West Yorkshire mayoralty to drive forward growth and opportunity in that region.

Answer from Simon Clarke

Levelling up is a social and moral mission. We believe it's vital to close the gap between successful parts of the UK and the rest. On the cost of living, we have put together a £22 billion package of support, including £9 billion specifically on energy bills. The Chancellor will keep all these issues under review.

Answer from Simon Clarke

Levelling up is a decades-long project for reversing geographical inequalities. The levelling-up White Paper puts in place a framework for working directly with people and places to address disparities. We will be held accountable with an annual report monitoring our progress.

Answer from Simon Clarke

The levelling-up White Paper is a comprehensive package of measures designed to ensure we can deliver on our aims. The Queen's Speech demonstrates our commitment, including through the establishment in law of the UK infrastructure bank. We have a plan which I am confident will deliver meaningful change.