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

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the rejection of the bids from 28 of England’s most deprived areas in the first round of levelling up funding; and what plans they have to ensure that such funding reaches the most deprived areas in England.

The Levelling Up Fund is a competitive fund, with funding distributed on the basis of successful project selection. In line with the Fund’s goal to bring meaningful investment to every part of the UK, at least 9% of total UK allocations will be set aside for Scotland, 5% for Wales, and 3% for Northern Ireland, subject to a suitable number of high-quality bids coming forward.

Funding is targeted towards places in England, Scotland, and Wales that are most in need of the type of investment the Fund provides, as measured by an Index of Priority Places that takes into account the need for economic recovery and growth improved transport connectivity and regeneration.

The Fund is delivered as part of a broad package of complementary UK-wide interventions to ensure all places can access the support they need.