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Centralisation has been effective at counteracting inequality, a Treasury minister has said, in comments that suggest little enthusiasm for further devolution to local government.
Speaking at the launch of the Centre for Cities annual report Cities Outlook 2021 on Monday, financial secretary to the Treasury Jesse Norman was also critical of the quality of local leadership.
During a discussion on what was meant by the government’s ‘levelling up’ slogan, Mr Norman said ministers recognised it was about “housing and skills and the rest of it”, but that centralisation is “not the cause of the imbalances and inequalities we see”.
“On the contrary, I think in many ways it has been effective to counteract that. But as society and economies evolve, so government needs to evolve.”
By Joey Gardiner2020-12-16T10:22:00+00:00
Change of tack will focus more investment in North and Midlands
The government has abandoned an algorithm that would have dramatically increased housebuilding in the Conservatives’ southern heartlands. England’s 20 biggest cities will instead take a much larger share of new homes under new plans drawn up by Robert Jenrick after a huge backlash from Conservative MPs.
The focus for housing numbers and affordable housing investment has switched to major cities in the North and Midlands. The previous plan, dubbed a “mutant algorithm” by one Tory MP, which would have concentrated housing in high value and rural areas in the South and South-east.
Membership of the Urban Centre Recovery Task Force
Details of the task force of experts who have offered their time and expert advice as we consider how best to support our cities to thrive.
From:
16 December 2020
The Urban Centre Recovery Taskforce announced today (16 December 2020), will advise on how government can work with local leaders to support our cities to thrive.
Covid-19 has posed unprecedented challenges, including to our cities and urban geography. The task force will consider the impacts of Covid-19 over the short and medium term and offer recommendations on practical measures that government could take to help cities adapt and take advantage of new opportunities.
By Joey Gardiner2020-12-16T09:46:00+00:00
Change of course sees rural areas spared and more investment in North and Midlands
The government has abandoned an algorithm that would have dramatically increased housebuilding in the Conservatives’ southern heartlands. England’s 20 biggest cities will instead take a much larger share of new homes under new plans drawn up by Robert Jenrick after a huge backlash from Conservative MPs.
The focus for housing numbers and affordable housing investment has switched to major cities in the North and Midlands. The previous plan, dubbed a “mutant algorithm” by one Tory MP, which would have concentrated housing in high value and rural areas in the South and South-east.