Most levelling up projects still unfinished years after funding allocated
Data released under freedom of information laws reveals hundreds of projects unfinished despite Tory promises on regional equality • Can a £5.8bn scheme help revive Grimsby and other town centres? Most levelling up projects are not finished, years after funds were allocated, highlighting how ambitious Conservative promises of quick progress on regional equality have faltered. Data released under…
Despite Conservative promises of swift progress on regional equality, over 60% of levelling up projects remain unfinished years after funding was allocated, according to data released under freedom of information laws. Out of 1,347 projects, 821 are still incomplete as of May 2023. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have seen slower delivery than England, with North-west England and Yorkshire among the regions with the lowest completion rates.
The government's levelling up agenda, headed by Michael Gove, aimed to revive left-behind towns and spread opportunity. The data covers three main funds: the Future High Streets Fund, Town Deals, and the Levelling Up Fund. The Future High Streets Fund was supposed to complete by March 2024, while the Town Deals and Levelling Up Funds had a deadline of March 2026.
Labour has since launched the Pride in Place programme, providing £2m annually for 10 years to give communities certainty and time for improvements. However, delays have been attributed to inflation causing increased costs, and the "begging bowl culture" where councils had to approach Whitehall for funding. Critics argue the levelling up funding is short-term and lacks a long-term plan.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
