Levelling Up White Paper

Levelling Up White Paper
Title	Levelling Up White Paper
Type	Policy document
Jurisdiction	United Kingdom
Published	2022
Publisher	United Kingdom Cabinet Office
Pages	332

Levelling Up White Paper

The Levelling Up White Paper set out a UK administration's plan to address long‑standing regional disparities across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland by linking infrastructure, planning, and social investment to measurable targets. It followed a series of reports and initiatives including the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine, and devolution deals negotiated with combined authorities such as Greater Manchester, West Midlands, and Tees Valley, and engaged with institutions from the Treasury to the Local Government Association.

Background and context

The White Paper emerged amid debates sparked by the 2016 Brexit referendum, reactions to the 2008 Global financial crisis, and analyses such as the Nicholas Stern Review and the Industrial Strategy White Paper (2017). Influences included earlier strategic frameworks like the City Deals programme, the Northern Powerhouse agenda championed by figures associated with the Conservative Party (UK), and regional campaigns tied to the Red Wall (British politics) and seats formerly represented by the Labour Party (UK). Key administrative actors included the Cabinet Office (United Kingdom), HM Treasury, and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. The document referenced data sources such as the Office for National Statistics and was debated in the Parliament of the United Kingdom and committees including the Public Accounts Committee (House of Commons).

Objectives and principles

The White Paper set out missions echoing targets in documents like the National Infrastructure Commission reports and the Industrial Strategy Commission (UK). It framed objectives parallel to outcomes sought by entities such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the Resolution Foundation, and think tanks like the Institute for Government and the Institute for Fiscal Studies. Principles invoked included devolving powers akin to those in the Scotland Act 1998, the Wales Act 2017, and the Northern Ireland Act 1998, aligning with precedents from the Greater Manchester devolution deal and models used in the London Plan and the Greater London Authority.

Policy measures and proposals

Proposals drew on delivery mechanisms similar to City Deals (UK), Mayoral Combined Authorities, and investment vehicles related to the British Business Bank and the UK Infrastructure Bank. Measures proposed included transport investments reminiscent of projects like HS2, upgrades to regional rail networks such as those overseen by Network Rail, and housing policies interacting with the Homes England remit. Skills and employment initiatives referenced institutions like the Education and Skills Funding Agency, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and collaborations with universities including University of Manchester, University of Birmingham, and Newcastle University. Cultural and civic investments were compared to programmes by the Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund and often intersected with planning regimes under statutes like the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Economic and social impact

Analyses of potential impact referenced fiscal assessments by HM Treasury alongside research by the London School of Economics, the University of Oxford, and the University of Cambridge. Economic forecasts were debated with reference to precedents such as the Northern Powerhouse Partnership findings and comparisons to international regional initiatives like Germany's Länder policies and the European Regional Development Fund. Social metrics cited in discussions included measures used by the Office for National Statistics and measures advocated by charities such as Age UK and Shelter (charity), with employment trends cross‑checked against data from ONS labour market statistics and case studies involving local authorities like Liverpool City Council and Sunderland City Council.

Implementation, governance and funding

Governance proposals paralleled structures seen in the Mayoral Combined Authorities framework and devolution settlements involving the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the West Midlands Combined Authority. Funding routes envisaged included mechanisms like the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, borrowing arrangements akin to those used by Transport for London, and capital investments channelled via the UK Infrastructure Bank. Delivery involved partnerships with entities such as the Local Government Association, the National Audit Office, and non‑governmental partners including Confederation of British Industry and Federation of Small Businesses.

Reception and criticism

Reception varied among political parties including the Conservative Party (UK), the Labour Party (UK), the Liberal Democrats (UK), and devolved administrations such as the Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive. Commentators from universities and think tanks including the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Resolution Foundation, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation offered critiques on metrics and funding adequacy. Media coverage from outlets like the BBC, The Guardian, The Times, and Financial Times highlighted debates over accountability, with scrutiny from parliamentary bodies including the Public Accounts Committee (House of Commons) and watchdogs such as the National Audit Office.

Related initiatives and legacy

The White Paper linked to ongoing initiatives like the Northern Powerhouse, the Midlands Engine, and local regeneration projects in places such as Teesside, Hull, and Southampton. Its legacy has been compared to the long‑term impacts of programmes like the City Deals (UK), the New Deal for Communities, and European funding mechanisms including the European Structural and Investment Funds. Institutions continuing to shape outcomes include the UK Infrastructure Bank, the Office for Local Government and research centres like the Institute for Public Policy Research and the Policy Exchange.

Category:United Kingdom public policy