Written statement by , Secretary of State for
Levelling Up, Housing and Communities
One of the Prime Minister’s top priorities is growing the
economy, spreading opportunity right across the country.
Levelling Up is central to that mission. Today I am delighted to
update the House on further progress being made to deliver the
right foundations for growth through increased innovation, strong
local leadership, and pride in place for communities.
First, on Investment Zones. This country has no shortage of
growth industries, whether in advanced manufacturing, renewable
industries or life sciences. And we have no shortage of
world-class universities. But where we have underperformed is
leveraging the success of these industries and research to
support growth across the whole country. That is my guiding
mission for Investment Zones. We will shortly begin a process to
identify where Zones will be located, guided by three principles.
First, that government cannot create clusters, but it can create
the conditions for them to succeed. Second, success requires
fiscal support, but also a wider range of interventions, whether
land assembly, housing, transport, or skills, to tackle the
specific barriers each cluster faces to growth. And third, that
can only happen in partnership with strong local leadership over
the long-term.
Second, on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Working with BEIS, DEFRA, DFT and HMT we are modernising the
approach to major projects and we will shortly publish an Action
Plan setting out reforms to the Nationally Significant
Infrastructure Projects regime that will streamline and speed up
the consenting process. These important reforms will boost
investor confidence in major infrastructure and help Government
to improve energy security, achieve net zero and deliver the
transport connectivity, water and waste management facilities
this country needs.
Third, on backing local leadership to regenerate their local
areas. I am today announcing that I will shortly lay before
Parliament secondary legislation setting up two new mayoral
development corporations in Tees Valley. These will drive a major
regeneration of Hartlepool and Middlesbrough town centres and
attract businesses and people back to these centres making them
vibrant, safe, and pleasant places in which to live and work. We
are also in talks with both Greater Manchester and the West
Midlands to strengthen the hands of both mayors. We are exploring
options to devolve more power, including in areas like housing,
to these Combined Authorities. Further details will be set out in
the trailblazer devolution deals that will be published in due
course. Alongside this, as part of our national reforms to ensure
that all homes are free from the types of poor conditions and
hazards that led to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak, I am today
announcing £30 million to support the Mayors of Greater
Manchester and the West Midlands Combined Authorities to support
improvements in the quality of social housing in their areas.
Fourth, as we take steps to devolve more power to local leaders
we are also backing this with clear accountability. We announced
in the Levelling Up White Paper that we would establish a new
Office for Local Government (Oflog), which will empower citizens
to hold local leaders to account, while supporting local leaders
to innovate and drive self-improvement. I am pleased to announce
that I have appointed Lord (Amyas) Morse to the position of
interim Chair of the Office for Local Government. brings to the role a wealth of
experience in public sector service delivery and performance, and
will provide independent advice, support and challenge to OfLog’s
strategic vision, functions and delivery. My department will
shortly recruit for a new Chief Executive for this important
body.
Fifth, to level up truly we must also ensure that people feel
safe in their communities. We know that this is a real priority
for our communities who want strong, practical action to tackle
crime and anti-social behaviour. Graffiti, vandalism, disorder
and evidence of drug use makes daily life a misery. Indeed, for
many, tackling this blight is a prerequisite to levelling up.
This requires a multifaceted response. Working with the Home
Office, Department for Education and Ministry of Justice, we will
shortly announce plans that will deliver for communities, giving
them the confidence that the places they love can and will be
protected and enhanced.
