Read: Whitehall needs to get out of the way so that mayors can get on with levelling up
There is a long-standing problem with weak social mobility in this country. It’s a problem which COVID-19 has constantly and clearly highlighted - in employment, in education and in health. It has also made it worse. Shifting the status quo needs systemic change.
It’s welcome that a real ambition to tackle the issue is now being widely demonstrated across government, industry and civil society. This autumn the Government is due to publish a Levelling Up White Paper to demonstrate how new policy interventions will improve opportunity and boost livelihoods across the country.
But if what we need is a system fix then a one-size-fits-all response from central government will not be enough. Firstly, a system fix means change from wider society, especially from business and employers who can make a real difference on levelling up if they are willing to stretch their opportunities to people and places where they are harder to come by. The case for doing so has never been more compelling given the clear link between diversity and better decision making. Secondly, a system fix needs to recognise the different challenges faced by different areas of the country, and by different communities. It’s increasingly clear that locally tailored solutions are the most effective way to address the range of issues that exist across the regions.
That’s why consideration of extending the devolution agenda by the Government in some northern and rural areas and giving councils more powers to deliver better services for their communities – for education, transport and connectivity, for example - is so important.
It needs to empower mayors, regions and local communities to get on with their own plans. There are, of course, some areas of levelling up where Whitehall plays a pivotal role. Education is one such area, and resourcing decisions by the Treasury will prove key. But more broadly for education, a place-based approach also matters.
As Education Secretary I set up 12 Opportunity Areas, working with the wider community and businesses to improve education outcomes for children in those areas. They recognised that different communities were already facing different challenges on education, even before the pandemic. They have been able to achieve real results through grassroots action, backed by local knowledge and expertise. There are often no quick fixes but there can be successful outcomes if the work is driven forward at a local level and on a sustained, long-term basis by those who care most about their local communities.
We know that this bespoke approach for individual communities works. Involving more councils in developing tailored solutions in their areas will help drive forward our levelling up agenda, reaping real results that have real impact.
For incoming Secretary of State of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, there must be a realisation that the best thing Whitehall can do to drive levelling up is to get out of the way. As much as big-ticket, grand policy ideas may be tempting to reach for, in fact when it comes to levelling up and Whitehall, less is more.
We know that this bespoke approach for individual communities works. Involving more councils in developing tailored solutions in their areas will help drive forward our levelling up agenda, reaping real results that have real impact.
For incoming Secretary of State of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, there must be a realisation that the best thing Whitehall can do to drive levelling up is to get out of the way. As much as big-ticket, grand policy ideas may be tempting to reach for, in fact when it comes to levelling up and Whitehall, less is more.
By Rt Hon Justine Greening, former Education Secretary and founder of the Levelling Up Goals