AQW 6864/22-27

Ms Sinéad McLaughlin
Social Democratic and Labour Party
Foyle

Tabled Date: 19/02/2024
Answered On Date: 05/03/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy for his assessment of the effectiveness of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda in Northern Ireland, including the impact of the Levelling Up & Regeneration Act 2023.

Answer:

The Levelling Up Agenda, to date, has been delivered directly here from Whitehall. It has largely bypassed Executive Departments, is not aligned to our priorities, and does not recognise our unique equality legislation.

The Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF), which is included within the Levelling Up Agenda, and described by the British Government as full replacement for past EU Structural Funds has fallen short of providing the funding we would have received had we remained in the EU.

The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act is an expansive piece of legislation which is largely focused on planning, housing and the powers of local authorities in Britain. Only Part 1 relating to the setting of Levelling Up Missions and their measurement is of relevance to my Department. Officials from my Department continue to engage with Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on this.