Our region is a prime example of why Levelling Up is needed. For generations we faced underinvestment, leading to serious decline. Now, we provide evidence that it can work. When I stood for re-election in May, I was able to point to the money that had been brought in during my first term in office, and the major improvements already underway, from transport to housing to skills. Between 2010 and 2019, the West Midlands was the fastest growing region, closing the gap on the UK average - Levelling Up in action! 



Transport is a good example. Last week the Chancellor spoke about bringing regional transport spending to reflect the levels seen in London. This is a point I have often made; that’s why I used a Tube-style map to illustrate my ambitious West Midlands transport plan. Last week the Budget announced over £1bn for us in the West Midlands to make that vision a reality.

We will be cracking on with determining how we invest this in meaningful schemes that genuinely provide a step change in transport provision – like new railway stations, metro lines, backing our bus services, cycle routes, and of course embracing the shift to electric vehicles.

Our challenge is to move at pace to get these improvements done quickly – and in the process help link citizens to new job opportunities, open up areas for further investment and help reach our climate change goals.

A further £1.8billion has been allocated to the biggest challenges facing us in housing, including a big investment in enabling more housing on old derelict brownfield sites. This is another area where the West Midlands has been leading the way, and Digbeth is seeing one of the most exciting of these brownfield projects, with the redevelopment of the former Bull Ring Trading Estate. 

I was also pleased to see funding confirmed for affordable housing – another crucial priority. Here in the West Midlands, we have done well with housebuilding performance and brownfield reclamation

– but we need to do much better on providing more affordable homes, as we do as a nation. £8bn has already been allocated to Housing Associations to get on with building affordable housing.

Levelling Up must be visible if it is to have a true impact, and key to that is supporting our town and city centres. We have already seen benefits from the Towns and Future High Street Funds, but now the Levelling Up Fund is also starting to deliver real investment, reinvigorating our civic centres and rejuvenating much-loved buildings.

Important though all these physical changes will be, of course Levelling Up has to mean the Levelling Up of people’s lives and opportunities. It is no secret that I have expressed concerns about the Government’s changes on Universal Credit. 

The budget saw a major move to support those affected and a response to the campaigning of, amongst others, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Centre for Social Justice and Resolution Foundation. 

The significant cut in the Universal Credit taper rate from 63p to 55p and an increase in the work allowance by £500 means a tax cut targeted to the nation’s two million lowest paid - something worth around £1,000 in their pockets. 

If we want to truly Level Up our nation, we must look beyond maps to people and communities.

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