Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Levelling Up across the UK

Monday 16 October 2023 · 8 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 6 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Levelling up initiatives include city and growth deals, investment zones, and the levelling-up fund for projects across the UK.
  • The Secretary of State plans to include areas with pockets of need in affluent regions for the next round of levelling-up investment.
  • The Secretary of State committed to discussing with HMRC and Treasury to protect opportunities for the creative industries in the context of levelling up.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Antony Higginbotham
Economy Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Local Government
Context

The MP asked about steps to level up the United Kingdom.

Question

What steps are being taken to level up across the whole of the United Kingdom?

Answer from Michael Gove

Levelling up is a UK-wide project. City and growth deals have been delivered in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland; investment zones programme including zones in north-east of Scotland and Glasgow; £4.8 billion through levelling-up fund for projects ranging from Burnley's historic mills to Peterhead's cultural quarter.

Answered
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Q2 Stephen Metcalfe Con
Economy Local Government
Context

The MP raised concerns about pockets of deprivation even in seemingly affluent areas, such as Basildon and Thurrock.

Question

Will the Secretary of State remember that even in apparently affluent areas, there are pockets benefiting significantly from levelling-up investment? What plans does he have to include those areas in the next round?

Answer from Michael Gove

My hon. Friend makes an important point about Thurrock's community. Plans extend Docklands eastward inspired by my hon. Friend's work, aiming to make the Thames estuary a powerhouse for economic growth.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans and timeline not provided

How: Working With Partners

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Q3 Antony Higginbotham
Community Security Local Government
Context

The MP welcomed the Prime Minister's announcement of Burnley receiving funds and wanted to know about community engagement in the process.

Question

Will the Secretary of State set out what community engagement will look like for the £20 million allocated over a decade? Will it be ongoing?

Answer from Michael Gove

My hon. Friend is right about Burnley's investment as part of 55 towns' UK-wide decade-long project. We will work with representatives to tackle antisocial behaviour, revive high streets, and ensure pride in Burnley.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific community engagement details not provided

How: Working With Partners

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Q4 Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP raised concerns about the impact of proposed business rate changes on the creative industries.

Question

Will the Secretary of State have conversations with HMRC and Treasury to protect the opportunities for the creative industries?

Answer from Michael Gove

Absolutely, we need to protect and enhance the role our creative industries play across the UK in levelling up.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plans mentioned

How: Working With Partners

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Q5 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Social Care Agriculture & Rural Affairs Local Government
Context

The MP raised concerns about the cost of delivering social care in rural counties, such as Shropshire.

Question

Will the Secretary of State consider the higher costs when determining local government settlements for rural communities?

Answer from Michael Gove

Absolutely fair point. Government understands additional investment needed for rural communities, especially adult social care.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific plans mentioned

How: Working With Partners

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Q6 Michael Fabricant Con
Economy
Context

The MP asked about the timeline for the next round of levelling-up fund applications.

Question

Will there be an indication of what sort of timescale there is for the next round of applications?

Answer from Michael Gove

Levelling-up fund round 3 will be brought forward just before the autumn statement, ensuring Staffordshire's voice is heard.

Answered
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Q7 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Transport Local Government
Context

The MP urged caution regarding a rushed devolution deal for Hull, stressing the need for proper consultation.

Question

Will the Secretary of State guarantee proper consultation so that people understand the implications before any deal?

Answer from Michael Gove

We are talking to representatives from both East Riding and Kingston upon Hull councils to ensure a devolution deal works. We have developed a levelling-up partnership with Hull for transport investment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Guarantee of proper consultation not given

How: Working With Partners

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Q8 Anum Qaisar
Scotland
Context

Prior to Scotland's exit from the EU, EU regional development policies allocated £827 million to Scotland from 2014 to 2020. The Scottish Government played a key role in directing this funding, unlike the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Question

EU regional development policies allocated up to £827 million from 2014 to 2020 before Scotland was taken out of the EU against its will. The Scottish Government played a key role in directing this funding compared to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities which bypasses Scotland's Parliament and undermines devolution. Will the Secretary of State and his Cabinet colleagues stop playing politics and devolve levelling up to Holyrood?

Answer from Michael Gove (Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities)

We are devolving levelling up—we are devolving it to local government. That is why our recent towns fund announcement was welcomed by all councils, including SNP-led councils.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about devolving levelling up to Holyrood, but the answer only mentioned devolution to local government and did not address the specific request for devolution to Scotland's Parliament.

How: Discussed The General Concept Of Devolution Rather Than Addressing The Specific Ask

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