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Boris Johnson spoke of Levelling Up the North. Now he is just Levelling it.

“Level” is a word prominently in the news recently. UK/EU negotiations are faltering over Level Playing Field rules and before one of his trademark disappearances, Boris Johnson pledged to Level Up the country. It seems odd to suggest that levelling of one kind is essential while another considered unacceptable.

“Levelling Up” - snappy slogan, great idea but does anybody know what it means practically, let alone trust this government to deliver it? COVID has had a massive impact on employment, with tens of thousands of jobs lost even before furlough ends. Over 10% of the North West workforce are employed in retail, many others in manufacturing & hospitality yet the government refuses to provide targeted sector-specific relief. On the other hand, millions of pounds of public money has (rightly) been spent on COVID information campaigns and PPE contracts - but almost all of it has gone to companies connected to government advisors and their chums without any tendering, connections seemingly outweighing expertise. Levelling up?

Another potential hammer blow coming is a possible No Deal Brexit in January, with news that progress in trade talks has stalled (to the surprise of many of us who hadn’t noticed any progress). “The clock is ticking!” say UK negotiators with zero self-awareness.

The UK wants trade with and within the EU but without Level Playing field rules on standards that apply to all members. It's like refusing to pay your subs at the gym while demanding continued access to the sauna. Johnson’s “Oven Ready” deal could go mouldy before it’s finished.

North West businesses will have two mountains to climb before reaching the promised post-Brexit sunlit uplands, and without any genuine levelling up we start from further down the slope. Those who voted to turn the Red Wall blue may soon regret their choice.


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