William Eichler 15 December 2022

London losing out on levelling up funding, says Mayor

London losing out on levelling up funding, says Mayor image
Image: lev radin / Shutterstock.com.

London is losing out on hundreds of millions of pounds of levelling up funding despite having some of the most deprived areas in the country, Mayor Sadiq Khan says.

Organisations in London can apply for a share of £30m targeted to support small businesses, in the first phase of the Government’s new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

However, Mayor Khan believes this national fund should be doubled in size.

The UKSPF replaces funding that the UK used to receive from the European Union before Brexit. The fund is an important part of the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda.

But despite being home to some of the most deprived parts of the UK, London is only eligible to receive a total of £144m from the UKSPF over three years, out of a national total pot of £2.6bn. This equates to less than half the size of the EU funding it was intended to replace.

Mayor Khan also said that of the 11 major Government regional funding initiatives designed to support levelling up, London receives the lowest amount – just £76 per person, compared to the England average of £384 per person.

‘I am pleased that organisations in London will today be able to apply for funding – but the reality is that the capital’s needs far exceed what it is receiving from Government,’ Mayor Khan said.

‘I am determined that London plays its part in helping to level up parts of the country that have been left behind for too long.

‘But if the Government really wants to level up, it needs to recognise that London has some of the most deprived communities in the country and also needs robust support and investment to deliver a more equal society.

‘London is the driver of the UK economy – but the funding allocated to the capital does not reflect the high levels of unemployment and child poverty that continue to exist in many areas here.

‘All we want is a fair share of funding for London, so we can continue to reduce the capital’s own substantial inequalities and in turn boost prosperity across the country.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Activites Assistants (CASUAL)

Durham County Council
£24,404 (12.65 p.a. hour) - £25,183 (£13.05 p.a. hour)
This is an exciting opportunity for Casual Activities Assistants to join our Leisure and Sport Service.   Leisure Centres are
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pension Administration Officer

Durham County Council
£24,404 to £25,183 p.a. (Grade 3) Pay award pending
A vacancy has arisen within Pension Services for an Administration Officer to provide admin and data support to the pensions team and members of the L Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

County Attendance Officer

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
We are seeking to recruit to the role of County Attendance Officer on a permanent basis to work predominately across the North or the South of the county. The team works across the whole of Oxfordshire so flexibility to work in other areas is also require County Hall, Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Software Engineer Starter

West Northamptonshire Council
£26914
We're looking for an exceptional human to join our digital team to learn the skills and put them into practice, designing, developing and maintaining websites, mobile apps & AI. You'll join us on our journey as we create better end-to-end services for our Northampton
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Executive Director - Growth, Enterprise and Environment

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
£139,111.00 (pay award pending)
This is a chance to make a significant difference to the lives of families across our borough – and to seriously improve your quality of life. Redcar and Cleveland House, Kirkleatham Street, Redcar, TS10 1RT
Recuriter: Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council
Linkedin Banner