William Eichler 19 April 2022

Manufacturers call for more local control of levelling up funds

Manufacturers call for more local control of levelling up funds   image
Image: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com.

Nearly a quarter of manufacturers say that regional mayors and local councillors should be given more responsibility for driving the levelling up agenda.

A new report Levelling up: Bridging the gap between policy and progress, published by Make UK, reveals a significant number of manufacturers (30%) are not convinced levelling up has delivered any tangible benefit to their business.

The research, which drew on responses from 225 manufacturers, revealed that 37% are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with the Government’s current levelling up agenda. This is down from 52% two years ago.

Make UK’s study also found that frustration with pronouncements about levelling up is particularly high in the areas that are supposed to be the main beneficiaries of what the Government frequently claims is its main priority.

Some 35.7% of businesses in the Northeast were not satisfied with the Government’s current progress on its levelling up agenda, with 37% in Yorkshire & the Humber echoing this sentiment and 27% in the Northwest.

A quarter of manufacturers said that allowing the available levelling up cash to be distributed locally by regional mayors would mean it could be used better to target issues and deliver growth and prosperity where it is needed.

Nearly a quarter (22%) said local councillors should also have input into how levelling up funds are used.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Senior Highways Officer West (Sleaford)

Lincolnshire County Council
£37,938 - £41,511
Lincolnshire County Council is looking to recruit a Senior Highways Officers to join us in our West team. Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Recuriter: Lincolnshire County Council

Senior Highways Officer - North

Lincolnshire County Council
£37,938 - £41,511
Lincolnshire County Council is looking to recruit a Senior Highways Officers to join us in our North team. Lincolnshire
Recuriter: Lincolnshire County Council

Senior Highways Officer - East

Lincolnshire County Council
£37,938 - £41,511
Lincolnshire County Council is looking to recruit a Senior Highways Officers to join us in our East team. Horncastle
Recuriter: Lincolnshire County Council

Senior Highways Officer West (Grantham)

Lincolnshire County Council
£37,938 - £41,511
Lincolnshire County Council is looking to recruit a Senior Highways Officers to join us in our West team. Lincolnshire
Recuriter: Lincolnshire County Council

Assistant Energy and Sustainability Data Analyst

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Salary From £32,955 - £39,933 Depending on Skill
This role will play a critical part of delivery of the Councils’ climate change targets. You will assist with the delivery of actions and objectives set out in the Richmond Climate Emergency Strategy and the Wandsworth Environment Strategy to support th Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.