Blackburn MP brands levelling up strategy 'a failure'

The Labour backbencher said the White Paper unveiled by cabinet minister Michael Gove today was not backed by the money needed to make it work.

The strategy will take until 2030 and aims to improve services such as education, broadband and transport in the poorer parts of England.

Mr Gove said it would 'shift both money and power into the hands of working people'.

He said the strategy was not aimed at providing new funding but ensuring it is spent effectively on local priorities.

The White Paper was welcomed by Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe and her Burnley Conservative colleague Antony Higginbotham who said it fulfilled the government's 2019 election promises.

But Blackburn with Darwen Council's public health director Professor Dominic Harrison warned that bridging the gulf between North and South would be a 25 year task similar to reunifying Germany after the end of the Cold War.

So far only two of the 20 areas which might benefit from the strategy and extra government money have been named - Sheffield and Wolverhampton.

Mrs Hollern said: "After decades of gutting communities across the country, the government needs to put money back into local government and give them real power over what it’s spent on.

"There’s no use in giving us smaller and smaller pots of money to compete over. That’s not how we’ll build a fairer and more prosperous country.

"In the last four years, Blackburn with Darwen's funding has decreased by £12.9million in real terms despite the government’s levelling up funds.

"For levelling up to truly deliver on the promise, the government must meet the ambitions people have for our own communities: good jobs in our home towns, so young people don’t have to go far for a good chance; thriving high streets driven by thriving local economies; better connected towns and villages; the power to take local decisions for ourselves; and safe and welcoming town centres.

"Delivering on these will test if the government is serious about building back better and levelling up. So far, they've failed people and places."

Prof Harrison warned that truly levelling up in Britain would require a Herculean effort on the scale of that launched 30 years ago to bring together poorer Communist East and richer capitalist West Germany to create today’s European powerhouse.

He said: “That took them many years and West Germany had to invest loads in East Germany and now by miles and miles they are Europe’s bankers.

“Levelling up the North, because of the differences we’ve got, is going to be like reuniting Germany.”

Prof Harrison called for a 25-year plan backed by serious money and genuine devolution for the North.

Miss Britcliffe said: "‘I am very pleased to see the government's levelling up strategy which is exactly what we need to deliver for the people of Hyndburn and Haslingden.

"It is the commitment and promise I made to my residents in the General Election and a true sign that this is at the heart of our agenda. Spreading opportunity for all, regardless of where you come from."

Mr Higginbotham said: "Levelling-up isn’t a one-off policy, it’s a whole reshaping of what government is focused on. The days of the cities taking all the investment are over - this White Paper makes clear that every decision that government takes will be based on how it helps to spread opportunity to our towns and villages. Restoring pride, improving jobs and education, and delivering better local infrastructure.

"We’re already making huge strides in Burnley and Padiham. Pioneer Place is under construction and a £20 million Levelling-Up Fund bid is secured."

Councillor Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We need to see the full detail of the White Paper and digest it before making further comments. But the fact is Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire as a whole needs a shift of resources, powers and flexibilities from government to really address the issues here and make sure we are not left behind."