“Levelling Up” must be more than just empty rhetoric and short-termism

The government is tomorrow expected to publish its Levelling Up White Paper which is supposed to give a blue print for rebalancing the economy across the country.

Secretary of State for Levelling Up Michael Gove will deliver the paper on the 2nd of February and it is expected to have plans for jobs and increased devolution amongst other things.

Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy, gives his assessment of what is needed:

“The government has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset the economy through the Levelling Up White Paper by bringing sustained investment, opportunities and jobs to all of our nations and regions.

“Access to good quality work is essential to levelling up: providing security, income for communities and career opportunities for young people. The White Paper must set out clear action to deliver low-carbon jobs, protect skills and ensure a just transition in areas facing industrial change. It must reorient defence spending so that the whole country can benefit from major projects without the best jobs going overseas. And it must build up centres of R&D and skills excellence across the country to compete in the global skills race.

“Levelling up must be more than lofty rhetoric to distract from current scandals in Westminster – it requires sustainable, long-term and strategic investment in our communities.”