In February this year, the UK government set out a wider devolution deal for the North East as part of its long-awaited plan for ‘levelling up’ the country. The Government introduced the policy, which is widely thought to have helped the Conservatives win a number of seats in the North East at the 2019 General Election, as a way to ‘change the economic geography of the country’. But, what does it actually mean for the region? What have we already seen? What could we see in the future?
Firstly, what is ‘Levelling Up’ supposed to mean? The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities described the recently released white paper as a “moral, social and economic programme for the whole of government. The Levelling Up White Paper sets out how we will spread opportunity more equally across the UK”. At the core of the policy would be the aim of increasing pay, employment and productivity in regions outside of the South East, as well as increasing public investment in R&D in the same areas by at least 40%.
At the core of the policy would be the aim of increasing pay, employment and productivity in regions outside of the South East….
What has it meant for the region so far? As of October, 2022 £100m (6% of the total distributed) had been granted to North East projects from the first round of the Levelling Up Fund, 6% of the £1.7bn allocated nationally. Including £20m for Newcastle city centre, including the restoration of the Grainger Market, pedestrianisation of Blackett Street and enhancement of Old Eldon Square into a ‘multi-functional civic space’. Additionally, (and handily just down the road from ourselves), £19.8m for a new sports and wellbeing centre in West Denton, Newcastle.
The Community Fund has seen £8m given to North East projects, 4% of the £203m pot. The Future High Street Fund saw a further £98.5m granted in the North East (11.6% of the £830m pot), predominantly spent in Stockton on Tees, South Shields and Middlesborough.
A spokesman for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: “We are making progress across the North East with thousands of highly skilled jobs being created through Teesside.
“Freeports are in talks to bring investment zones to the region to deliver growth, jobs and homes.
“The levelling up fund has so far provided £37 per head in the North East, the second highest for an English region.
“Through our towns fund, we have supported projects such as refurbishing derelict properties in Hartlepool and a new skills facilities in Blyth.
“There are already two devolution deals across the North East and we are rapidly progressing negotiations to announce more of these deals in due course.”
Additionally, (and handily just down the road from ourselves), £19.8m for a new sports and wellbeing centre in West Denton, Newcastle…
All things considered, the first signs of Levelling Up are being laid, but there’s still some way to go with regards to fulfilling the remit of the published whitepaper. However, as long as the investment keeps coming it must mean good things for the region. The North East has already established itself as a driving force for digital innovation and tech sector growth, so any additional assistance will surely see it grow from strength to strength.
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