Government to publish 'levelling up' white paper

The Government is set to publish a ‘landmark’ levelling up white paper later this year, setting out how new policy interventions will "improve opportunity and boost livelihoods" across the UK.

The white paper, which will be led by the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and replaces the delayed devolution white paper, will focus on challenges including improving living standards, growing the private sector and increasing and spreading opportunity.

The Government said it accompanies work being undertaken to repair the damage done by the coronavirus pandemic to public services, with backlogs in hospitals and courts prioritised alongside school catch ups and jobs.

Despite the challenges of Covid-19, levelling up and ensuring that the UK can benefit from the same access to opportunities remains "core" to the Government’s vision.

A new Cabinet Office Unit will be set up to drive through work on the white paper and the Prime Minister has also appointed Neil O’Brien, MP for Harborough, as his levelling up adviser.

O’Brien said: “Levelling up has been a real passion of mine for many years, and I’m incredibly excited by the Prime Minister’s agenda.

“After such a challenging year, there has never been a better time to unite and level up the country. It’s crucial that we bring opportunity to every single part of the UK by making sure our spending, tax, investment and regeneration priorities bring about meaningful change.”

• The long-term impact of Covid-19 on the transport sector will be a key theme at the Virtual Smart Transport Conference, which takes place on June 8 and 9.