Laura Sharman 13 May 2021

Calls to ring-fence funding for ‘social plumbing’

Calls to ring-fence funding for ‘social plumbing’ image

The Government should spend 25% of its ‘levelling up’ funding on public spaces such as parks and playgrounds to help revive ‘left behind towns’, a new report has argued.

The report from the Bennett Institute for Public Policy said that 25% of both the Levelling Up and Towns funds should be earmarked for ‘social infrastructure’. It argues that spaces and facilities that bring people together are just as vital as physical infrastructure projects as part of the post-COVID recovery plan.

It also calls on the Government to create a specific fund for social infrastructure and help incentivise private investment such as levies on housing developers for the provision of public parks.

Prof Michael Kenny, report co-author and director of the Bennett Institute at Cambridge, said: ‘When the local pub is shuttered, the park is unkempt and the high street has been hollowed out, the pride of a once close-knit community can give way to pessimism and disenchantment.

’There is an ingrained bias in Government towards large-scale infrastructure projects, but interventions that seek to restore dilapidated town centres or support local initiatives may be far more socially and economically beneficial than many policy-makers appreciate.’

The report also highlights that social infrastructure-related services account for almost half the jobs in some so-called ‘left behind’ towns. These sectors are also major employers of young people, people with disabilities or people with learning difficulties.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

KS2 Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £43,607
KS2 Class Teacher   M1 – M6     £31,650 - £43,607 Full Time, Whole Time Temporary – required from 1st September 2025 until 31st August 2026  The head Bowburn
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Deputy Manager, Children’s Homes Service

Durham County Council
Grade 11 £39,513 - £43,693
The Role We are seeking Deputy Managers who will support the Registered Manager to ensure the delivery of high-quality care. You will work directly wi Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Independent Reviewing Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 14 £48,710 - £52,805 pro rata
Are you a child and family social worker with 5 years of post-qualifying experience looking for the next step of your career?   What is Involved? As a Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £43,607
Class Teacher M1-M6  £31,650 - £43,607 Full time, whole time Temporary – required from 2nd September 2025 until August 2026 The governors of Escomb P Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Crossing Patrol

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £3,968 (approx.) £12.45 per hour
Join our School Crossing Patrol Service! Are you punctual and reliable? Do you have good communication skills and a strong sense of community spirit? Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner