Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Sixth Report - Funding for Levelling Up
Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
HC 744
Published 26 May 2023
Recommendations
9
Acknowledged
Para 31
Publish guidance on providing timely, detailed, and consistent feedback for all funding bids.
Recommendation
We recommend that the DLUHC provides better guidance on how it will provide feedback on bids. The guidance must set out that feedback is timely, detailed, and consistent. This is especially important for levelling up funds as the quality of …
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Government Response Summary
The government states it is reflecting on lessons learned from past Levelling Up Fund rounds regarding feedback and will apply these lessons to future feedback approaches, but does not commit to specific guidance changes or public feedback.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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15
Acknowledged
Ensure Investment Zone policy stability to prevent wasted resources for local authorities.
Recommendation
The Investment Zone policy geared local government up to the prospect of additional funding before the goalposts were moved. Whilst we appreciate that policies sometimes necessarily evolve over time, every effort must be made to ensure that a similar situation …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the policy shift for Investment Zones was due to a new administration and states that, in the refocused policy, the department tried to minimise wasted effort for local authorities.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Conclusions (4)
10
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 39
We acknowledge that in certain circumstances competitive bidding can also foster collaboration across local government. However, it can also encourage local authorities to develop plans or projects it perceives Whitehall will value to secure funding, rather than to deliver what their local communities may have prioritised.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the administrative burden of competitive bidding and confirms that a simplification plan will balance their approach, committing DLUHC to work with local authorities for fair and transparent distribution. They also highlight existing measures like capacity grants and support for joint bids, affirming that local priorities are tested in funding assessments.
14
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 53
We heard that an Investment Zone expression of interest costs in the region of £50,000 for one application. Since the Government’s Growth Plan 2022, little to no updates have been provided on the future of Investment Zones until the Budget in March 2023. Although we welcome the Government’s decision to …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the work councils put into previous Investment Zone applications, stating this effort was not wasted but informed policy development for the refocused program. They explain the decision to limit the number of zones and eligible areas, noting other levelling up opportunities are available for non-Mayoral Combined Authorities and that the list of areas will be kept under review.
24
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 83
We do not have sufficient data regarding how calculations have been made, the information we do have from central and the Devolved Governments are also not comparable in their current form. However, the number of stakeholders and local government bodies which have told us UKSPF is not a sufficient replacement …
Government Response Summary
The government reiterates that its UKSPF funding methodology was published in 2022 and claims engagement with devolved administrations took place. It states it will seek to improve engagement and collaboration on any future funding, but maintains current funding is sufficient.
33
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 110
Based on the evidence we have received and given the historic frequent churn of local economic growth initiatives, it can be argued that levelling up is unlikely to be successful in achieving the objectives it seeks to address. The challenges levelling up seeks to resolve are complex and cannot be …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concern regarding previous short-term initiatives, asserting that Levelling Up is a long-term programme with 2030 missions and legislative backing to continue beyond. It also notes efforts through a simplification plan to streamline funding and reduce administrative burdens.