Third Report - Post-pandemic economic growth: Levelling up
Select Committee
Business and Trade Committee
HC 566
22 July 2021
Government response
Seventh Special Report - Post-pandemic economic growth: Levelling up: Government Response to the Committee’s Third Report · published 3 Dec 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
3
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 21
There is no doubt that geographical inequality is a structural problem in the UK and...
Recommendation
There is no doubt that geographical inequality is a structural problem in the UK and attempting to address these inequalities should be at the heart of the UK’s plans for economic recovery post-pandemic. These plans should be focused on longer-term …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of the issue and the need for long-term planning, stating they will take it into consideration for future policy. They also highlight existing provision of capacity funding to local authorities for bidding for grants.
Department for Business and Trade
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7
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 38
Despite its large-scale ambition and promised additional funding, it is unclear whether the levels of...
Recommendation
Despite its large-scale ambition and promised additional funding, it is unclear whether the levels of funding available to local areas (via levelling up) will equal, never mind exceed, historic levels of UK and EU funding to local government. Given the …
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Government Response Summary
The government reiterates its commitment to levelling up, highlighting DLUHC's role and the publication of priority outcomes and delivery plans from the 2020 Spending Review. It notes that updated priority outcomes will be published at the next Spending Review, but does not specifically commit to being more realistic or clear about the scale of funding.
Department for Business and Trade
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12
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 54
The Levelling Up White Paper (incorporating the Devolution White Paper) needs to be bold and...
Recommendation
The Levelling Up White Paper (incorporating the Devolution White Paper) needs to be bold and progressive. It should clarify which tiers of devolved and local government in England are responsible for delivering which levelling up objectives and then ensure those …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the importance of clear direction, citing the transformation of the Ministry to DLUHC and new appointments as indicators of seriousness. It states that more plans will be announced in due course and promises to ensure appropriate governance structures for successful delivery of the levelling up agenda.
Department for Business and Trade
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16
Recommendation
Acknowledged
There should be a clear direction from No10 on which Department will be responsible for...
Recommendation
There should be a clear direction from No10 on which Department will be responsible for delivering which outcomes and how. We recommend that the Government establish a Cabinet Committee to oversee the co-ordination and delivery of the levelling up agenda …
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Government Response Summary
The government agrees on the importance of clear departmental direction for levelling up, citing the formation of DLUHC and the Secretary of State's role in driving cross-Whitehall efforts. It commits to ensuring appropriate governance structures are in place for successful delivery but does not explicitly agree to establish a Cabinet Committee.
Department for Business and Trade
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