William Eichler 23 May 2023

North misses out on £21m of levelling up funding

North misses out on £21m of levelling up funding image
Image: EtiAmmos / Shutterstock.com.

Local authority areas in the North have missed out on £21m of funding from the Government’s flagship levelling up fund, a new study has revealed.

An analysis of the Community Renewal Fund allocation by the think tank Health Equity North (HEN) has found that there was ‘no significant correlation’ between regional economic resilience and funding allocations.

All regions in the North of England received less than their expected share with the North East – the least resilient region in England – receiving £13.4m less than expected.

Meanwhile, the research, which was carried out in collaboration with the University of Manchester and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), also found that the South West was awarded £9.9m more than their expected share.

Dr Luke Munford, co-academic director at Health Equity North, and senior lecturer in Health Economics at the University of Manchester, said: ‘While investment like the Community Renewal Fund is very welcome, the methodology for distribution of the funding doesn’t add up and has the potential to further widen the North-South divide.

‘Despite committing to targeting people and places most in need, our research shows the imbalance that remains when it comes to investing in areas that face worse inequalities.

‘To mitigate this risk, there needs to be allocation of funding at a regional level, based on an objective measure of need and involving local leaders in decision making.’

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) spokesperson said: ‘The UK Community Renewal Fund helped communities in every corner of the UK unleash their potential and instil pride, in preparation of taking full advantage of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) – which will provide over £2.6 billion for local investment by March 2025.’

Sign up here to recieve our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner