Levelling Up: Our forecast on what local authorities should expect from 2022

In his first speech as Prime Minister, Boris Johnson brought optimism to voters in the North of England as he spoke of a need to “level up across Britain” and “answer the plea of the forgotten people and the left-behind towns”, unleashing the “the productive power” of every corner of the country. 

This message was endured by his party, who in their 2019 election manifesto introduced specific measures to achieve this post-Brexit opportunity, highlighting plans to:

• Invest in towns, cities, and rural and coastal areas
• Giving those areas more control of how investment is made
• Levelling up skills using apprenticeships and a £3bn National Skills Fund
• Creating up to 10 freeports to help deprived communities.

Such promising plans reflect the government’s acknowledgement of regional disparities in the country and a commitment to fixing them. Although there is still an air of confusion regarding the agenda’s objectives and the measurements required to monitor its progress, we can expect such questions to be answered in the government’s White Paper, which is set to be published by the end of January. 

However, until the government reaches this crucial next step, we can make a few predictions on what to expect from the report. We can expect the Levelling Up White Paper to facilitate opportunities to rest the relationship between central and local government and put councils at the heart of delivering the Government’s ambitious programme. We can also assume green investment in the north and the Midlands, the need to develop vocational skills and training, and the rejuvenation of public services, given that these issues previously informed Johnson’s agenda. 

Levelling Up can only be a good thing for local councils by devolving power to counties, with money to follow. The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund will bring cash donations to as many as 93 local authorities as part of the government’s pledge to bring tangible and visible changes to people and places and support economic recovery. Further, the Towns Fund will divide just over £1 billion between 45 towns in England. And for those who miss out on the funding, the Levelling Up plans will still provide local governments greater decision-making powers over sectors like transport and local skills and training, setting a precedent for the future of local governments autonomy.  

Therefore, whilst we sit tight for an update on what the government means by Levelling Up in the long-awaited White Paper, we can expect to see transformative changes targeted at economic growth and regeneration in the 2021/22 financial year as the first round of Levelling Up funding is released. Characterised by a drive for regional investment, 2022 may well be remembered as the starting line in the government’s pledge for a more equitable United Kingdom.