This week, I know you’ll all be enthused to hear the Government announced plans to publish a landmark ‘Levelling Up White Paper’ - setting out bold new policy interventions which will continue to deliver on the promises we made to the British people at the general election and improve lives across the country as we recover from the pandemic.
Levelling up is at the heart of this Conservative Government’s agenda and was at the centre of our 2019 manifesto, as well as our recent Budget. Despite the challenges of Covid-19, the Government are committed to ensuring the whole UK can benefit from the same opportunities and I want to take this opportunity to point you towards the following link, which contains my thoughts, and further details, on last month’s Budget: Budget 2021 | Mims Davies
I also want to include some of my thoughts on the investment-led recovery, which formed a major part of the recent Budget, and will link into the upcoming Levelling Up White Paper:
“Levelling-up across the country is a high priority of this Conservative Government. We want to create a fairer society, which is only possible through economic growth across all regions of the UK. The Chancellor announced the publication of the prospectus for the £4.8 billion UK-wide Levelling Up Fund, providing guidance for local areas on how to submit bids for the first round of funding, starting in 21-22.
“In addition to this, the Government will be funding £1 billion for 45 ‘new town’ deals, supporting their long-term economic and social regeneration, as well as their immediate recovery from the impact of COVID-19. This will be, in the Chancellor’s own words: “from Castleford to Clay Cross, Rochdale to Rowley Regis, and Whitby to Wolverhampton”. This Government are committed to investing in all areas of the UK, stimulating growth and regional, economic prosperity.
“Significantly, the Chancellor announced eight new ‘English Freeports’, building on our promise to take advantage of our withdrawal from the EU and the freedoms this gives us on the global stage. These freeports will be secure customs zones, located in urban areas where business can be carried out inside our country’s land border, but where different custom rules apply. This significantly reduces administration burdens and tariff controls, whilst providing relief from duties and import taxes. This will be a huge boost to the selected locations, which cover all four corners of England. Thanks to Brexit, how we trade is evolving and expanding, so it was really exciting to hear we will have these 8 new freeports in: East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe & Harwich, Humber, Liverpool City Region, Plymouth, Solent, Thames and Teesside.
“I look forward to seeing the impact these freeports have in the above areas in the years and decades to come.”
For my full thoughts, as well as some further detail about this part of the Budget, please visit: Budget 2021: An investment-led recovery | Mims Davies
This is why we will be publishing the Levelling Up White Paper later this year – which will be led by the Prime Minister – to focus on challenges and barriers faced across the country, including improving living standards, growth, as well as increasing and spreading opportunities.
After such a difficult year, I know constituents will agree it has never been a more important time to unite and level up the country through bringing these opportunities to every single part of the UK.