Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what support will be available to level up rural areas which have been unsuccessful in previous bids to the Levelling Up Fund and are not named as recipients of funding in the Levelling Up White Paper.

Levelling up is for all parts of the UK, including rural areas. Building on the Levelling Up White Paper, we will publish the second report on rural proofing in England this spring, setting out how government departments are working to support levelling up in rural areas and how we are strengthening the rural economy, developing rural infrastructure, delivering rural services and managing the natural environment. Rural areas in particular will also benefit from the Government’s mission to reach nationwide gigabit capable-broadband and 4G coverage by 2030.

As well as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, of which details were published alongside the White Paper, we expect to launch the next round of the Levelling Up Fund this spring, with further details to be announced soon. Further, the White Paper sets out a clear framework for devolution in England, supporting all areas, including rural counties, to develop devolution proposals which demonstrate effective leadership and sensible geography.