Since the last edition of first, we have had the publication of both the levelling up white paper and the health and care integration white paper.
With the publication of ‘Levelling up the UK’ and its 12 quantifiable ‘missions’, which are to be achieved by 2030, we can now fully explain to the communities and people that we represent exactly what this agenda means for them.
Within the document’s 332 pages, there are a number of proposals and initiatives that are particularly welcome from a local government perspective.
For example, the launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the successor to EU structural funding, and the confirmation that it will be distributed by councils, will, I believe, enable truly local decision-making and the better targeting of priorities, which I hope will lead to visible improvements to the places where people work and live.
“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will enable truly local decision-making and better targeting of priorities”
Similarly, I welcome the proposals for 55 ‘education investment areas’, recognition of the LGA’s call for employment and skills pathfinders, a commitment to having nationwide gigabit-capable broadband and 4G coverage by 2030, and an extension of the Safer Streets Fund, to give just a few examples of the many ambitious proposals contained in the white paper.
Meanwhile, it was good to see the health and care integration white paper recognise the key role that councils play in joining up health and care services, while also having a strong focus on prevention and providing care and support to people in community settings.
Having long argued for place-based leadership of care and health, I will continue to work with the Government to ensure that councils have the resources and capacity to deliver integration, better outcomes and improved services for our communities.
Following two years in which both the Government and the nation have understandably been focused on COVID-19, the publication of these important white papers allows us to start thinking beyond the pandemic and envisage how we can now begin to build back better.