Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to support (a) local authorities and (b) metro mayors in levelling up their communities.

The Government is committed to working with local leaders to level up the country and reduce geographic disparities across the whole of the UK. The success of mayors such as Ben Houchen has shown how strong and dynamic local leadership can tailor policy to local priorities, attract investment and seize economic opportunities.

That is why the Government has set itself a mission that, by 2030, every part of England that wants one will have a devolution deal, with powers at or approaching the highest level of devolution, with a simplified, long-term funding settlement.

Significant progress is already being made, with a Mayoral devolution deal signed with York and North Yorkshire on 1st August 2022 and the first Mayoral combined county authority deal signed with the East Midlands on 30th August 2022. The Government continues to work with places to agree further devolution deals.

The Government is also providing £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment by March 2025 through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). In addition, the £4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund is investing in infrastructure that improves everyday life across the UK, including regenerating town centres and high streets, upgrading local transport, and investing culture and heritage. The Government welcomes the wide range of bids received for the second round of the Levelling Up Fund; these are currently being assessed and an announcement is expected on successful bids later this year.