Broxtowe MP, Darren Henry has today welcomed the Government release of the Levelling Up White Paper, noting its clear ambitions to improve the lives of people across Broxtowe and Nottinghamshire.
The White Paper sets out a bold plan to transform the UK by spreading prosperity and opportunity to all regions. The Government has set out 12 bold new national missions to achieve by 2030 addressing regional disparities in salary, vast improvements in public transport connectivity across all regions, significant increase in 5G rollout, 20,000 successfully completed highly skilled trainees and a secure path to home ownership with support for first time buyers.
Not only does the Levelling Up White Paper offer national improvements. Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are specifically mentioned as one of a select number of areas to begin negotiations for a County Deal. Devolution is a vital component of this Government’s agenda and it is incredibly important that local people have a greater say in the issues that affect them. This marks a significant shift of power from Whitehall back to local communities. Coupled with this will be the decentralisation of the £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund, giving local leaders a real voice in how money is spent in their areas.
Today’s announcement incorporates the news that the Government is pledging to create 55 Education Investment Areas (EIAs) of which Nottinghamshire will be included. This will be crucial in addressing regional imbalances in educational outcomes and pledges to increase the standards of reading, writing and maths for all primary school age children ensuring that by the time they leave, 90% have reached the expected standard.
Darren Henry MP commented “I am delighted with today’s announcement on the Levelling Up White Paper. This plan addresses many of the issues I have been campaigning on over the years including regenerating town centres, improving public transport as well as investing in highly skilled jobs and better connectivity.
I am particularly pleased to see commitments for investment in Nottinghamshire and Broxtowe, through negotiations for a County Deal and further investment into our schools.”
