Targets to level up ‘must not be ditched’

PLANS FOR Ministers to be able to ditch levelling up missions would “seriously undermine” the Government’s ambitions to reduce regional inequalities, they have been warned.

A northern think-tank leader has said that an “independent body” should be created to oversee the process of the levelling up missions, to prevent “officials from reneging on promises of powers and funding”.

It comes after the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill revealed this week that officials will be able to make known that they “no longer intend to pursue” any given levelling up mission, if they think it is “no longer appropriate” to pursue.

The policy’s White Paper, released earlier this year, had first laid out that the Government’s flagship policy would be underpinned by 12 missions intended to be achieved by 2030.

The missions cover a range of areas from public transport connectivity, to improving internet coverage and closing life expectancy gaps across the country.

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “The Levelling Up White Paper was absolutely right to set out bold ambitions to tackle regional inequalities in this country.

“However the credibility of those ambitions is seriously undermined if Ministers can decide to scale back targets.

“An independent body, similar to the Office of Budget Respon

sibility, would offer scrutiny and accountability over the missions, ensuring government departments stick to the terms of devolution deals and preventing officials from reneging on promises of powers and funding.

“It would also guarantee the impartial calling out of policies which counteract levelling up, such as the proposed privatisation of Channel 4.

“The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is set to reverse the progress made by government in favour of a new, probably US-based, conglomerate owner.”