What does Government mean by ‘levelling up’? - Journalists join peers to debate
Monday 1 March 2021
Financial Times, Guardian and Spectator journalists will explore possible divisions in Government about its ‘levelling-up’ strategy with peers this week (Wednesday 3 March from 3.00 p.m.).
The House of Lords Public Services Committee will also discuss levelling up regional economies through health, skills and education with experts.
The committee will hear from:
At 3.00 p.m.
- Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive, The Health Foundation
- Dr Stefan Speckesser, Associate Dean, Brighton Business School, University of Brighton
- Richard Stubbs, Chief Executive Officer, Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network
Likely questions and areas of discussion include:
- To what extent is the Government’s ambition to ‘level up’ the economic performance of regions dependent on increased investment in health and education services?
- How much and how quickly should Government aim to reduce inequalities in outcome between ‘left-behind areas’ and the rest of the country?
- How can Government facilitate collaboration between public services, academia and business in order to improve a region’s health, educational and economic outcomes?
At 4.00 p.m.
- Isabel Hardman, Assistant Editor, The Spectator
- John Harris, columnist, The Guardian
- Sebastian Payne, Whitehall Editor, Financial Times
Likely questions and areas of discussion include:
- What do you think the Government means by ‘levelling up’ and what is it hoping to achieve?
- Has the pandemic derailed the Government’s ‘levelling-up’ agenda or given regional and local inequalities greater prominence in Cabinet?
- How important is it that Government involves local community groups and the voluntary sector in the design and delivery of its ‘levelling up’ strategy?
The virtual session will be live on Parliament TV.
