Councils ‘disappointed’ to miss out on pledged levelling-up funding

Several councils have expressed disappointment in missing out on levelling-up funding previously pledged by the former Conservative government.

The current Labour government confirmed £64m for nine UK culture projects yesterday in a continuation of a pledge from former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made in the 2024 Spring Budget.

The decision rowed back on comments from now Chancellor Rachel Reeves during her 2024 Autumn Budget that suggested the current government was “minded to” cancel any unfunded levelling-up culture and capital projects.

The development means only some areas that were ring fenced for support from the previous government have now had that promise withdrawn.

Among them are Maldon in Essex, Redditch in Worcestershire, High Peak and Erewash in Derbyshire, Mendip in Somerset, and North Northamptonshire, which have all missed out on a previously promised £5m.

Somerset Council’s executive lead member for communities, housing and culture, Federica Smith-Roberts, told the BBC it was “very disappointing news indeed for our communities and the creative industries”.

“It appears that once again, it’s the rural communities that miss out whilst the cities receive the money,” Smith-Roberts added. “People have invested their time, and placed their hope, into getting this government funding, and I really feel for them.”

Leader of North Northamptonshire Council, Jason Smithers, added he was “clearly disappointed” by the withdrawal of the area’s funding, which he said would have gone towards a programme of projects “which would have helped deliver real economic benefits”.

A spokesperson for the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government told the BBC the current government inherited unfunded commitments to these projects but had managed to re-prioritise some funding within extremely tight budgets.

“We have carefully considered the responses to our consultation and chosen projects at an advanced stage that will have the greatest impact on local people and economic growth – this government’s number one mission,” the spokesperson added.