Recommendation 27

The DLUHC has told us that it consulted with the Devolved Governments on the creation, compatibility, and implementation of the levelling up funds. However, we have heard from the Scottish and Welsh Governments, and officials from the Northern Ireland Executive, that they have not been satisfied with the level of consultation they have had with the Department. Based on the concerns and challenges that have been presented to us in relation to funding for levelling up by the Devolved Governments, we can only conclude that the consultation has for all involved. If the Department had taken a more detailed and comprehensive approach before and during their consultation, while taking on board concerns raised by the Devolved Governments, we believe it would have been able to avoid some of the challenges and criticisms it has encountered.