LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine): The government claims that its 12 “levelling up missions” will result in “a comprehensive system transformation of how the government works” across the country.
Later today, Michael Gove will release the government’s Levelling Up White Paper, which will lay out a plan to bring prosperity “to all sections” of the UK, according to officials.
The Conservatives’ winning manifesto for the 2019 general election said that they would concentrate on “levelling up every region of the UK,” and the phrase has since become a significant slogan for Mr Johnson’s government.
The phrase, according to the prime minister, entails investing in towns, cities, rural and coastal areas, employing apprenticeships to balance out skills, allowing local governments more authority over investment, and establishing new freeports.
What is the White Paper on Levelling Up?
Mr Johnson told his cabinet on Tuesday that the white paper would be a “major milestone” in his government’s efforts to “deliver on the priorities of the people.”
Mr Gove, the Levelling Up Secretary, informed a cabinet meeting ahead of its announcement that his ideas will “transform the economic topography of the country.”
The government’s agenda of levelling up has been repeatedly postponed, and new Conservative MPs who won ‘Red Wall’ seats usually held by Labour in the 2019 election have been urging the PM for immediate action.
Conservative mayor of Tees Valley, Ben Houchen, recently wrote for the Times Red Box, urging the PM to show “tangible indicators” of action if he wants to keep the support of electorate.
The white paper will include what we know.
The White Paper on Levelling Up would include “12 bold national levelling up initiatives” that will “will shift government focus and resources to Britain’s forgotten communities by 2030” according to the document.
What are the twelve missions for levelling up?
- By 2030, pay, employment, and productivity will have increased in every part of the UK, with the gap between the best-performing and the rest narrowing.
- Investment in research and development in the North, Midlands, Wales, Northern Ireland South West and Scotland will increase by 40%.
- Local public transportation links across the country will be greatly upgraded, with simpler tariffs and integrated ticketing, to meet London’s standards.
- By 2030, the UK will have statewide gigabit-capable broadband and 4G coverage, with 5G coverage for the majority of the population.
- The percentage of primary school students who achieve the required standard in maths, writing, reading and will have increased to 90%.
- The number of persons who complete high-quality skills training will increase dramatically in all regions of the UK.
- The gap in Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) between the highest and lowest localities will have reduced by 2030, and HLE will have increased by five years by 2035.
- People’s well-being will have improved across the UK, ensuring the gap between the best-performing and the rest narrows.
- People’s contentment with their town centre and participation in local culture and community will have increased in every part of the UK.
- Renters will have a clear path to homeownership, as the first-time purchasers’ number rises across the board.
- By 2030, neighbourhood crime, major violence, and homicide will have decreased, with the worst-affected areas receiving the most attention.
- Every part of England that wants one will get a devolution contract with powers at or near the greatest degree of devolution, as well as a simple, long-term financial arrangement.
The government says it will “do everything in its power to fulfil these aims” and that “energy, focus and resources will be re-oriented around attaining them throughout the 2020s.”
