'Levelling up is dead' - Lancashire Councillor calls for more investment
It comes after the levelling up secretary said the investment zones are 'under review'
County Cllr Julie Gibson, the Labour Group Shadow Spokesperson for Economic Development and Growth has called on the Government to stop “dithering” and provide clear direction to local councils to grow and support the Lancashire economy.
Her comments come as Lancashire County Council launches its Economic Development Strategy for 2023 – 2025 to be tabled at the November Cabinet meeting.
Cllr Gibson said:
“After the uncertainty of the last two years I welcome any positive moves to get the Lancashire Economy up and running and the strategy sets out how the Council aims to support this. But it comes against a backdrop of uncertainty with the Government still engaging in tactics of “dithering and delay” as we wait for the outcome of projects that were submitted over 6-12 months ago. Given that the Chancellor has also recently announced that local councils will be subject to further public spending cuts this creates an uncertainty and instability that is not helping the Lancashire economy.”
She continued:
“We have already seen a dismantling of the levelling up agenda, with many district councils across Lancashire now having to re-write or re-think bids; there is uncertainty over the outcome of the recently announced Investment Zones with hints that the newly appointed Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, is calling for a review, and on top of that, we are still awaiting the outcome and allocations for the replacement for European Funding the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.”
The Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said the Government is as committed as ever to levelling up but admitted not enough had been done.