Getting the most from levelling up - A toolkit for maximising impact in local economies

The publication of the government’s Levelling Up White Paper provided more information about their expectations and direction of travel for the project and, for the first time, publicly acknowledged the scale of the regional wealth divide in the UK. [...] Whilst the rollout of the Levelling Up Fund has been generally welcomed in terms of providing much needed on the ground investment in local economies, it has also been heavily criticised by the National Audit Office for the challenges of the application process and a lack of clarity in terms of overall objectives and evaluation of impacts. [...] To support and accelerate the journey to zero carbon and ensure the wellbeing of current and future generations, new local infrastructure investment projects can work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through supporting green transitions across transport, domestic and business uses, and through the protection and enhancement of greenspaces. [...] Check 5: We are promoting and supporting the involvement of local public services and locally owned and socially minded enterprises To support the delivery of local economic and community benefits and resilience through Levelling Up Fund projects, design and commissioning teams can focus on actively supporting and developing more local and social enterprises. [...] However, the demand remains, and local councils will need to continue to lead local economic development and regeneration that decreases inequalities, and in the context of the current cost-of-living crisis, climate, and nature emergencies, delivering much better outcomes for people and planet.