Budget 2023: Hunt sounds the death knell for LEPs

15/03/2023 | HEATHER JAMESON

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has unveiled a Budget that has sounded the death knell for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), but revived the levelling up agenda.

Reiterating local government’s role at the heart of economic growth, Mr Hunt vowed to hand powers from LEPs to councils.

Budget documents added: ‘The Government is minded to withdraw central Government support for LEPs from April 2024.

‘DLUHC [Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities] and the Department for Business and Trade will now consult on these proposals, before confirming a decision.’

The move comes more than a year after levelling up secretary Michael Gove said he was minded to scrap the bodies.

Mr Hunt announced a raft of new levelling up partnerships, with £400m in investment to go to 20 areas across England.

A further £200m is on offer for regeneration, £200m extra for potholes and road improvements, and a further £100m for charities and community groups.

Acknowledging the Government’s stalled plans for local government finance reform, the Budget revealed plans to work with councils to expand local business rate retention, with a pledge to ‘bring wider proposals to improve the local government finance landscape in the next Parliament’.

The chancellor claimed the Government’s success on devolution would go further, with a new wave of deals to be negotiated in the coming year.

Budget documents said the deals will include ‘local investment funding for areas that are committed to a mayor or directly-elected leader’.

As the Office for Budget Responsibility predicted the UK would avoid a technical recession and grow by 1.8%, and inflation would fall back to 2.9% by the end of the year, Mr Hunt revealed his plans to boost the economy.

The latest figures announced by the Office for National Statistics yesterday revealed unemployment remained at a near-record low at 3.7%.

Mr Hunt announced plans to ‘remove barriers to work,’ including getting more disabled people and those on Universal Credit into work, and amended pension rules to make it more attractive for older workers to remain in employment.

He announced 30 hours of childcare for all children over nine months in households where all adults work.

The Budget also revealed a £60m fund for public swimming pools.

This story first appeared on themj.co.uk.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Director of Transport

£112,924
East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) is on a bold journey. East Midlands Region
Recruiter: East Midlands Combined County Authority

Ferry Host - WMF3049i

£25,584 - £25,992
Ferry Host - WMF3049i Windermere, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Director of Streetscene

£94,972 - £108,767
We continue to have big ambitions for our borough Fareham, Hampshire
Recruiter: Fareham Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Urban Traffic Control (UTC)

£44,711 - £49,764
Liverpool is home to vibrant, energetic and engaged communities. Liverpool, Merseyside
Recruiter: Liverpool City Council

Roadworker/Driver

Grade 6 £25,183 - £25,638 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for Roadworker/trainee LGV drivers to be part of our team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Project Chargehand (2 Posts)

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We’re looking for experienced Project Chargehands to be part of the Highways Construction Services team Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Lawyer 2- Planning and Highways

£49,764 - £54,181
We are looking for a fresh thinking and enthusiastic Planning and Highways Lawyer Hereford, Herefordshire
Recruiter: Herefordshire Council

Development Engineer

£35,967 - £41,268 per annum
Are you ready to play a key role in shaping and safeguarding the future of our highways and public spaces? Bexley (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Bexley

Professional Services Partnering Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Professional Services Partnering Manager to lead the strategic management Darley Dale, Matlock
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Technical Supervision Manager

Grade 13 £47,653 - £51,296 per annum (pay award pending)
We are looking for an experienced and driven Technical Supervision Manager to lead our technical supervision teams within the Highways Service. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Street Lighting Electrician (CDC)

Grade 8, £32,662 - £36,239 (pay award pending)
Highways Operations is a growing service area within the Place directorate. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: City Of Doncaster Council

Highways Assistant Engineer WMF2133e

£39,513 to £40,476
We have an exciting opportunity for the right person to work within the challenging and ever-changing landscape. Penrith, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Highways Inspector/NRSWA

£36,345 - £40,344
We are looking for an organised and self-motivated individual to join our Streetworks Team based in Hackney Central. Hackney, London (Greater)
Recruiter: London Borough of Hackney Council

Structures Commissioner

Grade 14 £53,166 - £59,080 per annum (Pay Award Pending)
We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as the Structures Commissioner. Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Team Leader Network Co-ordination

£51,429 - £58,140
As Team Leader for Network Coordination, you’ll manage a team that oversees all works and events on our public highways. Kensington and Chelsea, London (Greater)
Recruiter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council

PRINCIPAL TRANSPORT PLANNING OFFICER

£43693 - £46731
We have an exciting opportunity for an experienced professional to join our team in Hull as a Principal Transport Planning Officer. Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Recruiter: Hull City Council

HIGHWAYS AND TRAFFIC ENGINEER - 4 POSTS

£43693 - £46731
We have several exciting opportunities for suitably qualified Highways Civil Engineers and Traffic Engineers Wilson Centre, 1st floor, Hull HU1 2AG
Recruiter: Hull City Council

Principal Transport Planner

£45,718 to £49,764
Do you have considerable experience in the transport strategy and policy, and are you looking for your next career development opportunity? Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recruiter: Sheffield City Council

Project Lead - Bridges and Structures WMF3037e

£45,718 to £46,731
We are currently seeking to recruit a Project Lead to join our Bridges and Structures team Kendal, Cumbria
Recruiter: Westmorland and Furness Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW