Levelling Up White Paper heralds “devolution revolution”

The government’s long-awaited Levelling Up White Paper promises “the biggest shift of power from Whitehall to local leaders” in modern times with “every part of England to get ‘London style’ powers and mayor if they wish to”.

The strategy is based around 12 “national missions” which include the commitment that by 2030 local public transport connectivity across the country will be significantly closer to the standards of London, with improved services, simpler fares and integrated ticketing.

A further mission promises nationwide gigabit-capable broadband and 4G coverage, with 5G coverage for the majority of the population.

In presenting the White Paper to Parliament, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said, “The United Kingdom is an unparalleled success story… But not everyone shares equally in the UK’s success. For decades, too many communities have been overlooked and undervalued. As some areas have flourished, others have been left in a cycle of decline. Levelling Up and this White Paper is about ending this historic injustice and calling time on the postcode lottery.

“This will not be an easy task, and it won’t happen overnight, but our 12 new national levelling up missions will drive real change in towns and cities across the UK, so that where you live will no longer determine how far you can go.”

The government, Gove continued, recognises the strong local leadership mayors like Andy Street, Ben Houchen and Andy Burnham have shown, and “wishes to replicate this success across England”.

“Fundamental to this ‘devolution revolution’ will be a new model for England with more mayors for those areas that want one.

“We will invite the first nine areas to agree new county deals and seek to agree further Mayoral Combined Authority deals, extending devolution across England. The first nine areas invited to begin negotiations will be Cornwall, Derbyshire & Derby, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, Durham, Hull & East Yorkshire, Leicestershire, Norfolk, Nottinghamshire & Nottingham, and Suffolk.

The White Paper also announces negotiations for a new Mayoral Combined Authority deal for York and North Yorkshire and an expanded Mayoral Combined Authority deal for the North East, as well as negotiations for ‘trailblazer’ devolution deals with the West Midlands and Greater Manchester to extend their powers – with these deals acting as blueprints for other Mayoral Combined Authorities to follow.

Labour said Labour said the plans contained no new money and little fresh thinking. Tracy Brabin, Labour Mayor of West Yorkshire, commented the strategy was like a "love letter to levelling up" and that the North would be left "struggling" if the strategy was not supported with extra funding. "The devil is going to be in the detail," she said.

Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove responded the strategy was not aimed at fresh funding but ensuring it was spent effectively.