- Government sets out new initiatives to level up the country
backed by up to £860 million
- Better high streets, stronger schools and more public sector
jobs to move outside of London
- PM hails ‘levelling up in action’ and vows to drive forward
his agenda to transform lives and livelihoods by spreading
opportunity equally across the UK
Plans for better high streets, stronger schools and more jobs
outside of London will be unveiled by the government today as
part of its plan to level up opportunities for people and
communities across the UK.
As we recover from the pandemic, the Prime Minister has committed
to delivering an ambitious set of policies that will reduce
long-standing inequalities, which have been further exacerbated
by Covid-19.
His levelling up agenda will focus on improving living standards,
investing in our essential public services and increasing access
to opportunities so people can thrive no matter where they live.
Government departments will today set out a range of new policies
which focus on better access to high-quality education, improved
infrastructure in our town centres, and more public sector jobs
outside of London – all of which are at the heart of levelling
up.
They include:
- 57 local areas have been confirmed as recipients of our £830
million investment to transform high streets across the country
into vibrant places to live, work and shop. As a result of the
funding, Grimsby will create a new cinema and market food hall to
boost visitor numbers, Taunton will build a new outdoor
performance venue and Sutton-in-Ashfield will repurpose vacant
retail space into offices and hospitality venues;
- More support for four local authorities – Plymouth, Ashfield
& Mansfield, South Sefton & North Liverpool, and North
Durham & City – to improve the quality of their teaching,
backed by £10 million. These areas have lower than average
numbers of pupils in good or outstanding schools. They will also
be encouraged to join multi-academy trusts so pupils can benefit
from being part of a strong group of schools that provide the
best possible education;
- An £18 million expansion of the Opportunity Areas programme
for the fifth year running, which helps vulnerable young people
from the most disadvantaged areas in the country. Funding will go
to areas including Blackpool, Derby, Oldham and West Somerset and
could be used to help children improve in key subjects such as
maths and English, support pupils who are at risk of falling out
of education or give older students the confidence and skills to
make the leap from school into work.
- More than 3,000 civil service jobs across the Home Office and
the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will
be relocated to hubs in Stoke-on-Trent, Edinburgh and Belfast by
2025, creating more opportunities to work in the public sector
outside of London. This is part of the government’s commitment to
move 22,000 civil service roles outside of London and the South
East by 2030, ensuring more policy makers reflect the communities
they serve.
Prime Minister said:
“As the country gets back on its feet, the government has renewed
its commitment to levelling up and tackling the issues that
really matter to people.
“Making sure our children get the best possible education,
transforming our town centres and correcting the regional
imbalance of public sector roles – this is levelling up in
action.
“Not only will we beat the pandemic and recover from its impact,
I am determined to seize the opportunity it presents to create a
fairer society, improve lives and build back better once and for
all.”
The new policies deliver directly on the government’s commitment
to transform lives and livelihoods and drive growth across the
country by spreading opportunity equally, which is at the
forefront of the Prime Minister’s vision for the UK.
He has also committed to publishing a Levelling Up White Paper
later this year, which will set out further policy interventions
to improve lives as we recover from the pandemic.
A new No. 10/Cabinet Office Unit has recently been set up to
drive forward work on the White Paper, with the Prime Minister
appointing Neil O’Brien as his Levelling Up Adviser.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
