Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 1 July 2021 to Question 21267 on Levelling Up Fund, how many applications were received for the first round of funding by the deadline of 12 noon on 18 June 2021.

The £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund will invest in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing in cultural and heritage assets.

Applications for the first round of the Levelling Up Fund closed at midday on 18 June. We have received in the region of 300 applications, but these are currently being triaged to ensure compliance with our eligibility requirements, and will then be assessed in line with the published assessment process set out in the Levelling Up Fund Prospectus and Technical Note on Gov.uk.

Outcomes from the first round of bids for the Levelling Up Fund will be announced later in the year and bidding authorities will be informed in due course.