Thread by @BDavisBriz

Looking forward to hearing what should be an interesting debate from an illustrious panel on what contents of the #LevellingUpWhitePaper will really mean for local & regional policymakers #PolExEvents

https://twitter.com/Policy_Exchange/status/1490686513415438338

First speaker Mayor @BenHouchen opens his talk saying that the #LevellingUpWhite Paper was never going to please everyone due to "different people wanting different things". However, welcomes the fact we now have definition for #LevellingUp & list of govt priorities #PolExEvents

Houchen says we now need to see a delivery plan ASAP. Gives his priority as the future of #Devolution - which now has a "sliding scale" between County Deals & creation of more Combined Authorities. Says we need to see clarity around devolution in rural areas #PolExEvents

Turning to funding, Houchen says that he was surprised at just how many separate funding pots Combined Authorities bid in to. Says White Paper "correct" to say devolved powers need to "earn" funding responsibilities - says Govt needs to explain how trust is earned #PolExEvents

On the role of private funding, Houchen says that there is a greater role for the private sector - especially devolution of deregulation etc. Gives example of #Devolution of #BusinessRates to drive regional investment outside of London & South East #PolExEvents

Houchen says we already see "competition in the private sector" in various areas (eg Manchester for IT, London for financial services). Believes that competition over tax regimes could be "transformational" in regional economies #PolExEvents

Finally, while Houchen welcomes generally good ideas the White Paper, he says there is still some further clarity needed around funding and delivery #PolExEvents

Next speaker @HazelBlears2 welcomes the 12 missions as "covering the things that are important" for the future of the country, but wonders if twelve is "too many to be meaningful" #PolExEvents

Blears also notes that #LevellingUp is similar to the New Labour's commitment to reducing regional inequalities which led to the New Deal For Communities, the SureStart programme and City Deals. #PolExEvents

While the investment needed was more expensive upfront, Blears says that the Blair government realised that it was cheaper in the long run as we saw the ROIs #PolExEvents

Blears says further funding is needed, but recognises that "cross-Departmental funding" can often be hard to get. Says this will require "a strong centre" from Downing Street will be required to make it successful #PolExEvents

Blears also welcomes the #Devolution commitments in the White Paper. Says it is important that "decisions are made as close to the people they affect as possible". Warns Govt needs to ensure these new structures are "streamlined & transparent" to gain public support #PolExEvents

On funding, Blears says people needs to get creative on funding models. In particular she proposes blending models of #SocialInvestment along with mainstream impact investment schemes & encouraging "Pension Pots With Purpose" to increase sustainable investment #PolExEvents

Blears also says that investment in people will be just as important as investment in infrastructure. Not only will this include investments in skills, but also supporting the increase of community owned assets to "help people help themselves" #PolExEvents

Finally, Blears welcomes the commitment of #Arts and #Culture to drive #LevellingUp. Blears says this will help beautify our places while growing local economies & unlocking talent & inspiration #PolExEvents

Next speaker @Jesse_Norman opens by saying that the #WhitePaper is a "thorough document" which contains analysis & #history. However, says it also has "statist elements", particularly in the field of R&D. Believes there should be more room for the private sector #PolExEvents

Norman says that there also may be a tension between HMT's role of acting as the "bank manager" of Govt spending vs the need to invest in places. Believes Govt should be more of a convenor to build local networks of private & public investors to drive #LevellingUp. #PolExEvents

Citing his own constituency of #Herefordshire, Norman says there is lower rates of public capital. Highlights the work done locally to invest in skills, and welcomes the recognition of the new Hereford University in the #LevellingUp White Paper #PolExEvents

Norman agrees with Houchen that there needs to be more "earned autonomy" over financial devolution. In particular, there needs to be joint work between BEIS & MLUCH to create local networks as "champions for local entrepreneurship" #PolExEvents

Norman also agrees with Blears for the need to invest in "people as well as infrastructure". Concludes saying that a private-public investment plan for skills could help transform local economies which will #LevelUp people & plug skills gaps in local economies #PolExEvents

Final speaker @OrmerodPaul opens his speech by saying the #LevellingUpWhitePaper received an "unfairly skeptical reception" as there were some good ideas to be gleaned from it #PolExEvents

On previous panellists' comments on market forces, Ormerod says that many regions had become "trapped" in a low-wage economy due to businesses "being hooked on cheap labour", which is where Govt intervention was needed to grow the economies #PolExEvents

While Ormerod acknowledges that there was little in the way of new moneys or schemes announced in the White Paper, he observes that the WP finally offered an "innovative framework" on what Levelling Up meant and how the Govt planned to address the challenge #PolExEvents

Ormerod also welcomes the Missions, as it shows that the Govt understands that it will need a targeted plan to deliver on #LevellingUp. Also repeats Blears' comments on highlighting the importance of Arts & Culture in economic growth #PolExEvents

On #Devolution, Ormerod welcomes the commitment to devolution of decision-making. Says while "local people may not always get it right", it is much more difficult to "grow a region from within" with a "top-down identikit set of policies" so local knowledge is vital #PolExEvents

On timescale & selecting places, Ormerod notes 🇩🇪 spent €2trn over 30yrs and has still not fully "levelled up" the country. Says Govt is right to begin investing in places that have already shown initiative as a "starting point" for what will be a long-term project #PolExEvents

The webinar now moves on to a Q&A session #PolExEvents

On the White Paper's ambitions on education, Houchen says White Paper not as detailed on training as DfE is "anti-#Devolution". Says the Dept needs a "radical shakeup" to deliver on #LevellingUp, but that is "an argument for #Westminster not #MetroMayors. #PolExEvents

However, Houchen does say that DfE's hesitancy is having a negative impact on #LevellingUp. Gives example of the #Freeport - says his MCA know that the new jobs are coming, but they dont have the powers to ensure they will have a skilled workforce #PolExEvents

On #FiscalDevolution, Houchen says he believes that the "genie is out of the bottle" for a more tailored local rate of tax devolution - says at present rates have to be "net neutral", but predicts we may have local authorities taxing certain sectors to support others #PolExEvents

The next Q is on the creation of #MetroMayors & how to ensure "all Mayoralties are as successful as London" at driving public & private investment, Houchen argues he spends big % of his job talking to private investors #PolExEvents

Houchen says that, for him, the #LevellingUp agenda is about unlocking private sector potential in "left behind areas". Gives eg of #Freeports as public money funding the building of infrastructure to unlock that private investment & deliver long-term growth #PolExEvents

Houchen says that one of the "biggest unspoken aspects of Devolution" is the fact that it is introducing of competition between the regions, which is an opportunity that #MetroMayors should take advantage of #PolExEvents

Ormerod says its unfair to compare other Mayors to London as other #MetroMayors not embedded. Cites #Manchester, where Burnham won every ward in elections despite significant % of Conservative Cllrs also returning as sign strong local leadership is "coming" elsewhere #PolExEvents

Blears says that tackling intra-regional inequalities will be a big part of delivering on the #LevellingUp agenda, and this is where strong local leadership is needed #PolExEvents

Very interesting debate on the #LevellingUpWhitePaper & the challenges & opportunities it brings. Thanks @BenHouchen @HazelBlears2 @OrmerodPaul & @Jesse_Norman for your insights, to @David_Goodhart for chairing & @Policy_Exchange for hosting! #PolExEvents

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