Levelling Up: Substance not slogans?

As Labour announces its plans to reclaim 'Levelling Up', Sam Freedman and Ayesha Hazarika are joined by Ed Balls to discuss the dual challenges of tackling economic and regional inequality and going for growth

Boris Johnson’s claim to end the North-South divide has been a spectacular disaster in terms of going from a box office slogan to something of any substance at all. Councils across the UK are on the brink of collapse and bankruptcy and economic equality across the country has never been more entrenched.

So what happens now? Can the agenda move into reality and what would an actual Levelling Up plan look like? Are people going to buy it anymore without any tangible progress to show for it, and ultimately what is the role of Westminster vs local authorities and regional mayors.

Tackling regional inequality is not only an end in itself but also a means in going for growth - an absolute imperative for the next government. Both Labour and the Tories have said they want to deliver growth, but what is the path for delivering it? It has to be a key priority for the next Prime Minister, as part of a central growth drive, working with and not against business, championing open markets and consumers as well as a comprehensive backing for combined authorities with devolved powers.

Ed also speaks to Sam and Ayesha about podcasting with George Osborne, Labour’s workers rights package as well as never being invited to give the Mais lecture. He is also the first guest to face our new Power Questions section - where he calls for Keir Starmer to grasp the theme of Global Britain and be confident about the UK’s outward facing role in the world, how Jo Cox’s legacy can help heal divisions in politics and ultimately, how the party should be willing to say when it thinks other parties have done good things that it will continue in government.

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