Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling-up Fund Round 2

Monday 20 February 2023 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The second round of the levelling-up fund will invest up to 2.1 billion in 111 local infrastructure projects.
  • The Minister rejected allegations that the funding process was rigged, stating that the decision-making framework was clearly outlined.
  • Local authorities will receive detailed feedback on their specific bids in due course, according to the Minister's response.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Aldous Con
Local Government
Context

The MP questioned the geographical distribution of funds awarded in round two of the levelling-up fund.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of the geographical spread of the funding awarded in the second round of the levelling-up fund?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

The second round of the levelling-up fund will invest up to £2.1 billion in 111 vital local infrastructure projects. We prioritised investment in high-quality bids in places that have not previously received levelling-up fund money in order to maximise the spread of overall funding from rounds 1 and 2. In this round of the fund, two thirds of the funding went to those places in the greatest need, which we designated as category 1.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Alison Thewliss SNP
Transport Local Government
Context

The MP questioned the fairness of the levelling-up fund application process, citing Glasgow's rejected bids for two historical sites.

Question

Why were Glasgow's bids to address the People's Palace and Winter Gardens and the M8 motorway issue rejected in a process that was allegedly rigged?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

I ask the hon. Lady to retract that statement, because in no way have I said that the process was rigged. It absolutely was not. The decision-making framework that we use was outlined in full, in writing, in the technical note that we published.

Partly answered

Not addressed: the allegation of rigging

How: Asked To Retract Statement, Not Addressed Specific Rejection Reasons

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Peter Aldous Con
Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

The MP sought clarification on the investment criteria for coastal defence projects in the next levelling-up fund round.

Question

Can my hon. Friend review the investment criteria for round 3 of the levelling-up fund to include stand-alone coastal defence schemes not part of wider transport or cultural bids?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

My hon. Friend is a fantastic champion not only for the east of England but, in particular, for coastal communities. We know that coastal communities add unique value to our country and offer significant growth potential, which is why 22 coastal areas are benefiting from more than £673 million of investment via the towns fund.

Partly answered

Not addressed: stand-alone criteria review

How: Discussed Broader Benefits For Coastal Communities

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Alex Norris Labour (Co-op) Nottingham North and Kimberley
Local Government
Context

The MP highlighted the waste of time by local authorities in developing bids that were ultimately rejected, questioning the confidence they should have in the process.

Question

Why should local volunteers and officials who put significant effort into their bids be apologised to if their time was wasted and their efforts deemed futile?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

I have already expressed my admiration for the incredible work put in by local government officials, volunteers and Members across the House, and I have apologised—the hon. Gentleman can read the Select Committee transcript for himself. We had £8.8 billion-worth of bids for round 3 of the levelling-up fund and only £2.1 billion to allocate.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific apology requested

How: Expressed Admiration, Mentioned Difficult Decisions

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Chris Stephens SNP
Local Government
Context

The MP inquired about the inconsistency in providing feedback scores to unsuccessful local authorities after assurances were given.

Question

Why has there been a change of heart regarding the provision of detailed scoring feedback to unsuccessful local authority bids?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

As I outlined in the Westminster Hall debate, local authorities will receive detailed feedback on their specific bids in due course. Some areas have already received feedback, and it will be rolled out further in the weeks to come.

Partly answered

Not addressed: immediate provision of scores

How: Mentioned Rolling Out Feedback

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Chris Stephens SNP
Local Government
Context

The MP questioned the trustworthiness of the levelling-up fund process after local authorities were misled about their prospects in subsequent rounds.

Question

What confidence can local authorities have that this process is fair and transparent, given the change in feedback provision?

Answer from Dehenna Davison

I would ask the hon. Gentleman to visit some of the areas that are benefiting from the levelling-up fund. He should visit some of the incredible projects that are benefiting local communities and then look me in the eye and tell me that this policy is in tatters.

Not addressed: fairness and transparency concerns

How: Asked To See Results

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email