Better high streets part of levelling up plan

Plans for better high streets, stronger schools and more jobs outside of London will be unveiled by the government as part of its plan to level up the UK.

The government says that the Prime Minister’s levelling up agenda will focus on improving living standards, investing in our essential public services and increasing access to opportunities so people can thrive no matter where they live.

As such, government departments will today set out a range of new policies which focus on better access to high-quality education, improved infrastructure in our town centres, and more public sector jobs outside of London.

This will include 57 local areas who will be the recipients of an £830 million investment to transform high streets across the country into vibrant places to live, work and shop, as well as more support for Plymouth, Ashfield & Mansfield, South Sefton & North Liverpool, and North Durham & City to improve the quality of their teaching, backed by £10 million.

Additionally, the government will set out further detail on an £18 million expansion of the Opportunity Areas programme for the fifth year running, which helps vulnerable young people from the most disadvantaged areas in the country. Funding will go to areas including Blackpool, Derby, Oldham and West Somerset and could be used to help children improve in key subjects such as maths and English, support pupils who are at risk of falling out of education or give older students the confidence and skills to make the leap from school into work.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “As the country gets back on its feet, the government has renewed its commitment to levelling up and tackling the issues that really matter to people. Making sure our children get the best possible education, transforming our town centres and correcting the regional imbalance of public sector roles – this is levelling up in action. Not only will we beat the pandemic and recover from its impact, I am determined to seize the opportunity it presents to create a fairer society, improve lives and build back better once and for all.”