The Government has announced the first 100 projects to share £1.7bn to upgrade local infrastructure through the first bidding round of the £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund.
Officials said the flagship fund contributes to the Government’s levelling up agenda by investing 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.
Lewes in the South East will benefit from levelling up cash
Chancellor Rishi Sunak told MPs: ‘I’m allocating the first round of bids from the Levelling Up Fund. £1.7bn to invest in the infrastructure of everyday life in over 100 local areas.
'With £170m in Scotland, £120m in Wales, and £50m in Northern Ireland, more than their Barnett shares. This will benefit the whole United Kingdom.
'We’re backing projects in: Aberdeen, Bury, Burnley, Lewes, Clwyd South. And not one, not two, but three successful projects for the great city of Stoke-on-Trent.
'But that’s not all. We’re also going to fund projects in Ashton under Lyne, South Leicester, Sunderland, Doncaster, and West Leeds. Madam Deputy Speaker, We’re so committed to levelling up – we’re even levelling up the Opposition front bench.'
Mr Sunak’s comments appear to reflect comments that the fund has been used to direct money to areas with Tory MPs.
The Budget document describes the multi-department fund as ‘removing siloes to best meet local needs – from cultural assets to local transport improvements’.
The document notes: ‘The Levelling Up Fund will be allocated between DLUHC and Department for Transport (DfT) in due course. It is not included in DLUHC or DfT’s Capital DEL’ (Departmental Expenditure Limit).
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