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We're about to begin our latest online briefing
We'll be discussing how to reform the Treasury's Green Book for levelling up. With...
@SHinchcliffe, Bradford Council Leader
@petegladwell, @LGIM / @landg_uk
@AntBreach
@sjeffrey01
Follow here... https://www.centreforcities.org/publication/green-book-levelling-up/
We'll be discussing how to reform the Treasury's Green Book for levelling up. With...
@SHinchcliffe, Bradford Council Leader
@petegladwell, @LGIM / @landg_uk
@AntBreach
@sjeffrey01
Follow here... https://www.centreforcities.org/publication/green-book-levelling-up/
First up @AntBreach talks through his recent report which found:
The GB is not biased against the north
The GB is one tool of many used by Gov
Local Gov needs more resources to level up
Gov needs a national strategy for levelling up
The GB is not biased against the northThe GB is one tool of many used by GovLocal Gov needs more resources to level upGov needs a national strategy for levelling up
He goes on to say that there's very little evidence to suggest that the GB is biased against the north and in favour of London & the South East.
In fact, if there is a bias, evidence says it may be AGAINST London & the South East.
In fact, if there is a bias, evidence says it may be AGAINST London & the South East.
The reality is that the GB is one of many factors that the Gov weighs up when making investment decisions.
Here they are...
Here they are...
So what does need to change?
National Government needs a strategy.
Close the output gap of our largest cities £100 levelling up fund Simpler & better BCRs
Local Government needs resources. Greater Manchester-level resources everywhere Continue to use the GB to make decisions More in-house BCR analysis More dax devo
He concludes by saying that the GB shouldn't be a tool for Gov to pick between mayors, but instead for mayors to pick between projects.
Here's his key take aways
Here's his key take aways
Next up we're hearing from Bradford Council Leader @SHinchcliffe. She opens by saying that the GB is a symbol of spending inequality.
She says that the GB has been used for years by politicians and civil servants for avoiding making transformational change in Northern England.
She reminds us that Bradford is the only major UK city not on a main line rail route. And there's real tangible consequences to this - poverty, health inequality.
She estimates that putting Bradford on the Northern Powerhouse Rail would add £15bn to the economy.
She concludes by reinforcing the transformational potential of public investment - socially and economically.
He opens by iterating the importance of public / private sector partnerships in in facilitating public investment and inclusive growth.
He says that, Covid makes it more important than ever that we deliver the right kind of investment that creates inclusive growth.
. @SHinchcliffe is asked what devolution will bring West Yorkshire.
She argues that it will make a real difference to delivering on the changes that need to be made in her area.
She argues that it will make a real difference to delivering on the changes that need to be made in her area.
Can the regional angle ever be properly quantified in investment decisions
@SHinchcliffe worries that the GB as it presently is provides too much ammunition to take a free market approach to public investment decisions.
@SHinchcliffe worries that the GB as it presently is provides too much ammunition to take a free market approach to public investment decisions.
. @AntBreach says that we need a simpler analysis that either sets out the quantifiable benefits, or the non-quantifiable benefits.
However, the debate about principles is a political debate. And therefore should be made at a local level, not by Whitehall.
However, the debate about principles is a political debate. And therefore should be made at a local level, not by Whitehall.
. @petegladwell says that @landg_uk looks at social impact as well as the fiscal benefits. And, while you can't easily quantify social impact, it is very important.
How important is it that the Government sets out what it means by 'levelling up'
@SHinchcliffe says there needs to be a huge effort to address inequalities in this country. She points to health inequalities as key.
@SHinchcliffe says there needs to be a huge effort to address inequalities in this country. She points to health inequalities as key.
. @petegladwell says that Government direction is significant but so, too, is local vision and ambition.
Central Government can enhance efforts but it's not the be all and end all.
Central Government can enhance efforts but it's not the be all and end all.
. @sjeffrey01 says that the most effective way for Central Government to deliver levelling up is to set the outcomes, and then let local leaders decide on the right way to achieve the outcomes for their area (with the right amount of resources).
. @SHinchcliffe says that the role of the Government is to intervene for the greater good.
And that's all we have time for. Thanks to @SHinchcliffe, @petegladwell, @LGIM, @landg_uk, @AntBreach and @sjeffrey01.
key take aways from 
You can read the full report "Re-writing the Green Book for levelling up" on our website. https://www.centreforcities.org/publication/green-book-levelling-up/
We hold online events on a range of topics, including:
Levelling up
Housing
High streets
Labour market
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