NI asked to get behind "Levelling-up" plans
A blueprint for solving geographical inequalities is being unveiled on Wednesday, against a backdrop of the a police probe into alleged lockdown-breaking parties.
Last updated 2nd Feb 2022
The First Ministers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are being invited by the UK Government to join what it hailed as a "new collective effort to level up" the whole of the United Kingdom.
The move was announced as the Conservative administration at Westminster prepared to publish its Levelling Up white paper.
Some have questioned the timing of the news about plans for better infrastructure, educational opportunities, improved 5G and more.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has come under fire as a result of the "partygate" allegations, and it is thought he will attempt to divert attention from the ongoing saga.
The PM insists the "defining mission" of his government is to "level up" the country so people have "access to the same opportunities" regardless of where in the UK they live.
Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove is to invite Scottish First Minister Nicole Sturgeon, as well as her Welsh counterpart Mark Drakeford and Paul Givan and Michelle O'Neill from Northern Ireland, to take part in the project, calling for the four nations to work together in the same way as they did in the Covid vaccine roll out.
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