According to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, levelling up aims “to create jobs, drive growth, and make sure that people feel enormous pride in the places that they call home”. But set against a backdrop of dire economic forecasts for the UK, does the government have the money to see this ambition through? Critics argue that levelling up funds can’t make up for decades of funding cuts to local councils, and concerns have also been raised about the areas to which money has been allocated. Considering this, can levelling up succeed? And what would success look like across different parts of the country?

Join us for a conversation co-hosted by the Policy Institute, UK in a Changing Europe and the Campaign for Social Science, where our panel of experts – including Andy Haldane, Chair of the Government’s Levelling Up Advisory Council – will discuss the current state of the levelling up agenda and share ideas about its future.

Panel:

• Andy Haldane, Chief Executive, RSA & Chair, Levelling Up Advisory Council
• Gemma Tetlow, Chief Economist, Institute for Government
• Anand Menon, Director, UK in a Changing Europe
• Rebecca Riley, Associate Professor of Enterprise, Engagement and Impact, University of Birmingham
• Suzanne Hall, Director of Engagement, Policy Institute, King’s College London
• Bobby Duffy, Professor of Public Policy and Director, the Policy Institute, King’s College London (Chair)