Read: Clear ‘levelling up’ targets are needed to unite parliament, business, communities and society

In 2015, the UK played a lead role in creating the UN Sustainable Development Goals and getting them agreed by 193 countries. 

They provided a transformational framework for change, proving that with a common plan, there can be common and collective action.

Now, amid an absolutely pressing need to “level up” Britain, we believe that a similar, galvanising set of targets is needed to unite parliament, business, communities and civil society to work in partnership for the common good of our country. 

And time is of the essence. Covid-19 has levelled down our country and therefore made levelling up not only more urgent, but even harder.

Together as a coalition of purpose-led businesses and universities, together with the Social Mobility Pledge we have drawn up a set of Levelling Up Goals, which we believe will transcend party politics and enable us to agree a set of common challenges for the years ahead. 

They are far from easy. But if we can close those gaps, we can make real positive change across the UK. 

Our Levelling Up Goals include closing the early years development gap by delivering the best possible start for every child; giving young people access to advice and experiences to unlock opportunity throughout their life; opportunities for career advancement for all based on ability and potential, not connections; closing the digital divide and tackling the savings gap that prevents many people from going as far as their talents could take them. 

These goals are intended to set out how the government’s ambition to level up Britain can be achieved. They are the first national set of levelling up targets against which we can begin to apply measurements and chart our progress.

From mental health to supporting our young people to get their schooling back on track, we must work together to make real progress in the recovery from Covid-19. 

As with the Sustainable Development Goals, everyone has a role to play and now is the time. 

Rt Hon Justine Greening, chairman of the Social Mobility Pledge

Robbie Moore, MP for Keighley and Ilkley.

Professor Karen Bryan OBE, vice-chancellor, York St John University

Professor Nick Petford, vice-chancellor, University of Northampton

Professor Mary Stuart CBE, vice-chancellor, University of Lincoln

Professor Andrew Wathey CBE, vice-chancellor and chief executive, University of Northumbria 

Professor Kiran Trehan, pro-vice-chancellor, University of York

Professor Mark Power, registrar and CEO of Liverpool John Moores University

University of Essex, on behalf of Make Happen 

Professor Liz Barnes CBE, vice-chancellor and chief executive, Staffordshire University

Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/letters/levelling-up-targets-boris-johnson-government-b1800290.html#r3z-addoor