Key Facts

• The Committee will meet on various days between June 21 and September 20, with oral evidence sessions scheduled for specified times.
• Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser is set to give evidence related to UK Research & Innovation's role in the Bill.
• Copies of written evidence received by the Committee will be made available in the Committee Room and circulated via email.
• Research and development is critical in generating high value-add activities that support economic growth.
• UKRI aims to build back better aligned investment supporting open economic growth right across the UK.
• The SR target for increasing R&D spending outside the greater south-east by a third over the spending review period is considered achievable but requires addressing disparities in application rates and capacity building.
• Long-term missions are key components of the levelling-up agenda.
• Missions should not be written into the Bill but rather managed through continuous monitoring and review.
• External scrutiny and transparency in the publication of mission progress is crucial.
• The statement focuses on the need to tackle economic disparities and access to affordable housing.
• Paisley represents a constituency where specific local issues require tailored solutions.
• He calls for different rules to apply in various parts of the UK to empower local authorities.
• The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill aims to enhance economic opportunities through mission statements.
• West Yorkshire seeks additional powers from Whitehall to better deliver on missions related to climate change and skills training.
• A London-style integrated transport system is proposed for West Yorkshire.
• Clauses 60 and 61 aim to simplify and streamline processes for setting up new combined authorities.
• West Yorkshire has had a combined authority since 2014, providing context for the discussion on simplifying setup processes.
• The mayoral model is preferred as it provides a single point of contact with Government.
• The Mayor supports delivering 5,000 affordable and sustainable homes in West Yorkshire.
• £22 million extra is allocated for brownfield housing in the Bill.
• The city region sustainable transport scheme provides nearly £900 million multi-year funding.
• The Mayor faces challenges with Government check and challenge on implementation details such as silver bins or grass roofs.
• Poverty and economic inequality are widespread issues in West Yorkshire.
• The M10 Mayors work on reducing bus fares, capping single trips at £2, and daily passes at £4.50 to improve transport accessibility.
• There is a focus on improving fiscal autonomy and multi-year funding settlements for better devolution outcomes.
• Professor Mairi Spowage introduced herself as the director of the Fraser of Allander Institute at the University of Strathclyde.
• The session aims to discuss measures to ensure transparency in the allocation of levelling-up funding.
• Concerns have been raised about potential controversies similar to those with the towns fund.
• The first round of the levelling-up fund required quick spending by March 2022 for community renewal.
• Projects needed strategic fit and support from local MPs.
• Indices of multiple deprivation are not comparable across UK nations due to different metrics and methodologies.
• There is a need for an overarching tool like indices of multiple deprivation that can compare needs across the UK.
• The Bill aims to increase domestic public R&D investment outside greater south-east England by a third over this spending review period.
• There has been the creation of an innovation accelerator centred on the Glasgow city region.
• In the first round of the levelling-up fund, local authorities with the lowest median pay received roughly three-quarters of investments.
• Metrics for deprivation can be contentious and impact resource allocation differently depending on focus.
• Indices of multiple deprivation have established metrics but fail to capture rural disadvantage well.
• Digital and transport connectivity improvements are seen as beneficial for rural communities.
• The session concluded at approximately 10:47 am.
• Professor Mairi Spowage provided evidence on regional growth impacts in Scotland.