Title

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Levelling up funding is 'poorly targeted' report warns

There are 6.5 million people living in deprived local authorities that will not be helped by the Government's levelling up funding, new analysis has revealed.

There are 6.5 million people living in deprived local authorities that will not be helped by the Government's levelling up funding, new analysis has revealed.

The research, published by Centre for Progressive Policy, said these areas will be excluded from the Levelling up Fund, Towns Fund and Community Renewal Fund.

It also shows the Government's key policies for economic recovery will benefit London over the rest of the UK.

Government support for London is set to be £7bn higher than the North East and North West combined, argues CPP. It also said London is likely to receive the biggest tax break per head.

Ben Franklin, head of research at CPP, said: 'Given this outlook, we can only assume that Government has either failed to grasp the nature, scale and urgency of inclusive recovery or has given up on its own levelling up agenda.

'The Government must urgently change tack to ensure that local communities with the greatest need are sufficiently funded to deliver vital services. Focusing on rebooting locally led industrial policies which can create good, well paid jobs in traditionally left behind places would deliver the government's levelling up agenda more effectively than these ill thought through tax break schemes.'

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Government using strategic planning agenda to speed up devo

By Joe Lepper | 18 February 2026

Concerns have been raised over the Government’s use of its strategic planning agenda to speed up decisions around devolution in areas that have yet decide on...

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Financial reform cannot wait

By Owen Mapley | 18 February 2026

Owen Mapley says the finance settlement provides breathing space for many authorities – but this is not the same as financial resilience.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

The local outcomes framework comes with risks

By Ian Miller | 17 February 2026

Ian Miller says the local outcomes framework is a tool to allow Whitehall to intervene and he is concerned it could be used in future to channel resources.

ECONOMIC GROWTH

Local government finance settlement leaves sector divided

By Martin Ford | 17 February 2026

The most controversial local government finance settlement for years has divided the sector. Martin Ford looks at the fallout.

Popular articles by Laura Sharman