Leaders in East of England call for action with region 'behind' on housing, health and transport
A major report claims our region is missing out on government promises about 'levelling up'
Last updated 23rd Feb 2023
MPs, business and health leaders from across the East of England have met in London to press the government for more investment into the region, with fears East Anglia is 'falling behind'.
It comes after the launch of a major report, called 'Levelling Up the East of England 2023-2030’, which found there is 'low confidence' the government will be able to deliver on its pledge to 'level up' the East of England.
It found that 100,000 people are on council waiting lists for homes across the East, while a quarter of privately rented homes are of low quailty. First time buyers face major issues with house prices now eight times the average annual income in the region.
Spending on transport is just £621 per head here, compared to £1,212 per head in London.
Attainment in reading, writing and maths is at 64%, well below the national target of 90% - while training in skills is also low. That's despite vacancies in ey local industries like life-sciences, renewables and agri-tech.
On healthcare, spending per capita is the lowest in the county (at £2,889 compaered to £3,236 nationally), despite the East of England growing in population faster than almost anywhere else.
Peter Aldous, MP for Waveney and Co-chair of the East of England All-Party Parliamentary Group, said:
“In some places of the East of England, a good start has been made on levelling up but there is still a very long way to go.
"Now is the time for real, tangible action on levelling up that will make a positive difference in the next twelve months for residents the length and breadth of the region, on five all important issues.”
“For example, on transport, we want to see the long overdue investment in Ely and Haughley Junctions and the re-instatement of four trains per hour to London Stansted Airport.
"On health, there should be recognition that the funding formula must reflect the fact that the population grew more here in the last ten years than anywhere else in the UK.”
Matthew Hicks, Leader of Suffolk County Council, added:
“On education, we are calling for a revised funding formula for rural schools plus more special education needs funding going direct to councils."
"On skills, we want to see “skills devolution” to allow opportunities for greater local co-ordination and oversight of skills funding.
"On housing, there is an urgent need for more support for First Time Buyers and for more social housing.
“Fairer funding is clearly important but levelling up is not all about money.
"Partnership and devolution will also be key. The region’s councils and their partners stand ready to work with central government Ministers and officials so that there is progress in the next twelve months.”