Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to help reduce regional inequality.

This Government’s central mission is to level up the UK and break the link between geography and destiny so that no matter where you live, you have the same life chances. Our landmark Levelling Up White Paper, published in February, sets out how we will address regional disparities across the UK, put more money in the pockets of those who need it most, and transform the UK economy by generating higher paid jobs and new investment.

To support this, we are delivering the Equality Data Programme, which is the Government’s biggest and broadest review of the equality challenges we face, including geographic and socio-economic barriers to opportunity.

The work of the Social Mobility Commission is also central to the Government’s commitment to levelling up opportunities and ensuring fairness for all. We have bolstered the Commission by recruiting Katharine Birbalsingh as its new Chair and Alun Francis as Deputy Chair, and giving the Commission more leverage to influence other government departments.