‘There’s no time to waste’ - Justine Greening calls on Government to back levelling-up blueprint

Yorkshire-born Justine Greening, who was previously an Education Secretary and International Development Secretary, launched a new 14-point framework for levelling up Britain, yesterday, (2 February).

The focus of the framework is on driving equality of opportunity at key life stages, from early years through to careers, alongside the barriers such as the digital divide, health and infrastructure adulthood and to provide a benchmark to track progress.

Ms Greening, who was born in Rotherham and was MP for Putney, in London, until December 2019, told The Yorkshire Post that Boris Johnson must deliver the agenda promised during the General Election to the North.

She said: “I hope going into the Budget the Government will recognise that they need to be bringing forward solutions on all 14 of these goals .

“Levelling-up has to move beyond debating. The Government needs to have a level of ambition to take action on all of them - to make the investment necessary to really shift outcomes for communities on the ground and that’s what I want to see happen - and there’s no time to waste.

“Piecemeal efforts will not be enough to deliver the systemic change we need.

“And time is of the essence as Covid-19 levels down our country and makes existing inequalities even worse by the day. The Budget is a crucial time for government to set out a long term plan on levelling-up.”

The call to back the 14 levelling up “goals” comes as The Yorkshire Post reported on Monday Northern business and education leaders are calling for “urgent action” from the Government to prevent a lost generation of children, after a new report revealed the costs of lost schooling could amount to hundreds of billions of pounds to the economy.

A report from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), said the cost of lost learning from the pandemic could amount to as much as £350bn in lost earnings. The IFS estimates that pupils stand to lose an average of £40,000 in lifetime earnings, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds most affected.

Included in the 14 point framework is the call to close the early years development gap by delivering the best possible start for every child. And creating more opportunities in higher education, employment or training.

Ms Greening’s call to action is backed by MP for Keighley Robbie Moore, who will chair the cross-party levelling up goals group in Parliament.

He told The Yorkshire Post: "COVID-19 has made levelling up harder, but more important than ever before.

“For too long, towns like the one I represent in Keighley and Ilkley have lived in the shadows of our big cities like Leeds and Bradford.

“These 14 clear objectives aim to unite MPs of all parties, businesses, communities and our civil society as we build back from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.”

Professor Kiran Trehan, pro-vice-chancellor for Partnerships and Engagement, at the University of York is working alongside Ms Greening and other university and business partners to develop ways to measure success of the 14-point plan.

Professor Trehan said: "We know that education does not start and end with school or university, it is a lifelong process that individuals carry through into their careers and beyond.

“The unfortunate reality, however, is that this process of learning is available to some, but not all, and this is what we want to try and address with the 'Levelling-Up' programme.

"It is not just the job of our educators to make this happen; it requires businesses, politicians, and communities all working together to understand the barriers at each stage of an individual's life and to ensure that they are able to achieve their full potential regardless of race or social background."

In the region York St John University will be one of the first universities in the country to use the 14 to assess their impact

A Government spokewoman said: "Now more than ever, our focus is on levelling up communities to make sure no-one is left behind. That’s why this Government is investing £100 billion in infrastructure, introducing significant catch-up support for pupils who have missed out on time in education and devolving money, resources and control away from Westminster.

"We’re transforming the skills landscape so everyone has the tools they need to succeed and our world class universities are working with their communities, schools and colleges to tap into the brilliant talent our country has to offer.

"Our Pupil Premium funding, as well as our investment of £300 million into early years, school and colleges for tutoring that builds on our existing £1billion Covid catch up fund, will help to close the attainment gap and we have also extended our Opportunity Area Programme for a fourth year, investing £90 million to improve skills, wellbeing and outcomes for thousands of young people in some of the most disadvantaged parts of England."

The 14 levelling up goals:

1. Strong foundations in Early Years

Close the early years development gap by delivering the best possible start for every child.

2. Successful school years

Every child successfully achieving their potential in attainment and development.

3. Positive destinations Post 16+

Every young person and adult to have the choice of a high-quality route in education, employment or training.

4. Right advice and experiences

Access to the right advice and experiences at the right time to unlock opportunity throughout a person’s life.

5. Open recruitment

Careers and professions open to people of all backgrounds through transparent, accessible and open recruitment practices

6. Fair Career progression

Opportunities for career advancement for all based on ability and potential, not connections.

7. Widening access to savings & credit

Widening access to responsible credit and closing the savings gap.

8. Good health and wellbeing

Improving mental and physical health at all ages to boost overall well-being to allow people to fulfil their potential.

9. Extending enterprise

Extending private enterprise and entrepreneurship to all people and communities

10. Closing the digital divide

Closing the divide in technology access, skills, opportunities and infrastructure.

11. Infrastructure for opportunity

Developing the physical infrastructure that connects people and places to opportunity.

12. Building homes & sustainable communities

Creating affordable quality homes so people can live in safe and sustainable communities.

13. Harness the energy transition

Ensure that the energy transition is fair and creates opportunities across the UK.

14. Achieve equality, through diversity & inclusion

Creating a level playing field on opportunity for all, to fully unleash Britain’s potential for the first time.

For more information about the Levelling Up Goals, please visit here.

______________

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers. Click here to subscribe.