William Eichler 07 April 2022

Cost of living crisis risks leaving levelling up ‘dead on arrival’

Cost of living crisis risks leaving levelling up ‘dead on arrival’ image
Image: Denys Kurbatov/Shutterstock.com.

The Government’s levelling up agenda could be undermined by a deepening North-South divide exacerbated by the cost of living crisis, a think tank has warned.

Research by the Centre for Progressive Policy (CPP) has revealed that more than half (52%) of the areas most vulnerable to the crisis contain ‘Red Wall’ seats. These include constituencies in places such as Burnley, Sandwell and Hyndburn.

The CPP’s cost of living vulnerability index found that the places to get hit hardest by the cost of living crisis are urban areas of the North, the Midlands and London, and coastal towns, including Hastings, Thanet and Dover.

The index also revealed that less than a quarter of the areas that will receive the most benefit from the Government’s council tax rebate are among those classified by the index as highly vulnerable to cost of living pressures.

CPP is recommending that the Government deliver an uplift in Universal Credit payments to cover the April rise in the energy price cap. This would cost £2.4bn, which the CPP estimates would be £600m cheaper than the rebate policy.

‘Voters on low pay, experiencing food and fuel poverty or pushed out of work altogether, are on the margins of extreme vulnerability – but they are also in many of our most marginal seats. That adds political saliency to the urgent moral case for addressing the cost of living crisis,’ said Ben Franklin, director at CPP.

‘Levelling up slogans will be dead on arrival at the next election unless the Government reconsiders its policy options. Last month’s Spring Statement saw poorly targeted tinkering at the edges of the tax system, whereas our analysis suggests the Chancellor may be forced to reconsider a UC uplift to really help those hit hardest in places like Hartlepool and Hastings.’

What’s happening inside the LGPS? image

What’s happening inside the LGPS?

Get the most informed take on the challenges and opportunities that substantial reform will bring at this year’s PLSA Local Authority Conference.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Registered Building Inspector (Band 2/Grade 7)

Health and Safety Executive
£60,760 - £65,776
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is transforming building safety regulation across England. United Kingdom / various Locations
Recuriter: Health and Safety Executive

Revenues and Recovery Team Leader

Ashfield District Council
£37,938 - £40,476 per annum (pay award pending)
We have an exciting opportunity for a Revenues and Recovery Team Leader Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Housing Options Officer

Ashfield District Council
£31,067 - £33,366 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of residents in housing need? Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Building Services Operative

Ashfield District Council
£25,584 - £27,269 per annum (pay award pending)
The Facilities team are looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Street Cleansing Technician (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 5, £24,397 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you enjoy working outside, as part of a team that make a direct difference to the communities of Doncaster? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner