Last year, the government finally defined its levelling-up plan with a White Paper, a massive document of more than 300 pages. It featured 12 quantifiable ‘missions’ in areas such as health and education outcomes, housing, life expectancy, transport and skills.
Today, it’s clear that those left behind are central to Britain’s political landscape: first they voted for Brexit in 2016; then they switched to the Tories in 2019, delivering Boris Johnson a thumping majority.
The government has shown that it’s serious about keeping these voters onside. There is now a statutory requirement to report annually on progress towards the targets, allowing voters to monitor and hold accountable this administration — and any future one. The government has, in other words, put its own feet to the fire.
Much needs to be done, though, if these 12 aims are to be achieved. As Professor Vernon Bogdanor writes, the difference in skills and education quality across the country couldn’t be starker. The buzzword of ‘levelling up’ has parked the Tories’ tanks on Labour’s lawn — and Katy Balls explores the fall-out. The Spectator’s chairman Andrew Neil interviews the Permanent Secretary for Levelling Up, Andy Haldane. And James Kirkup examines the differences in life expectancy and obesity in different parts of the UK.
I hope you enjoy the supplement.
Ben Lazarus, Editor
Illustrations: Natasha Lawson and iStock
