We want your views on making opportunity fairer across the UK

Levelling up the United Kingdom

Read the Levelling Up White Paper

What does levelling up mean?

Levelling up means:

 

  • boosting productivity, pay, jobs and living standards by growing the private sector, especially in those places where they are lagging
  • spreading opportunities and improving public services, especially in those places where they are weakest
  • restoring a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost
  • empowering local leaders and communities, especially in those places lacking local agency

What does levelling up mean for me?

Outline map of the United Kingdom

Levelling up means different things for different areas. Depending on what your area needs, it could mean improved local public transport or higher levels of research and development investment in the area that will create better-paid jobs

It could be about more people successfully completing high-quality skills training or improving performance in schools.

We’re closing the gap between the top performing and other areas in pay, employment opportunities and productivity, and we’re narrowing the gap in healthy life expectancy between local areas so that no matter where you are, your quality of health is the same.

There will also be more attractive parks and green spaces, as well as investment in high streets, improving pride in local areas.

Stronger local leadership will be put at the heart of levelling up, with more devolution deals in England.

factory supervisor with clipboard

But the White Paper is just the start 

Levelling up is a broader mission that requires us to pull on all levers across society to, finally and irrevocably, end the postcode lottery in life prospects.

For too long, some of our proudest communities with the greatest potential have felt that the odds are stacked against them. The changes we’re proposing stack those odds back in their favour – in favour of everyone in the United Kingdom being able to make something of their lives in the places they love.

You can stay up to date and find out more about levelling up on this website.

A number of programmes including The UK Community Renewal Fund and The Levelling Up Fund are supporting communities. Please see more information on the various Levelling Up funds.