Rochdale council leader dismisses government's Levelling Up plan as an 'uninspiring jumble' of reheated policies

Rochdale council leader Neil Emmott has dismissed the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ announcement as a ‘jumble of reheated policies’.

This week saw the release of a long-awaited ‘ white paper ’ setting out proposals to narrow regional inequalities and bring prosperity to ‘left behind’ areas in the north and midlands.

Unveiled by secretary of state Michael Gove, it includes 12 mission statements, taking in everything from employment, transport and education, to gigabit broadband, health and life expectancy.

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The document mentions Rochdale no fewer than 11 times, linking it monies from the Future High Streets Fund, Towns Fund and ‘Strength in Places’.

But much of this money has already been allocated and often spent on projects that are already completed or well in train.

One example being a reference to the ‘redevelopment of the fire service museum’ - which reopened as ‘Fireground’ last month.

Only the inclusion of Rochdale among the new ‘Education Investment Areas’ appears to suggest new money or plans for the borough.

And it has left Labour's Coun Emmott, who became leader last summer, distinctly unimpressed.

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“We need to move mountains to level-up this country, not kick a few pebbles