How the real estate sector is key to delivering a levelled-up UK

LISTEN: In this episode of the EG Property Podcast, EG editor Samantha McClary is in discussion with four experts from across the built environment to understand how the UK’s cities are “levelling up” – or not – regardless of the politics. Levelling up was barely mentioned in the recent “mini budget”, reports say barely any of the levelling up funds have actually been spent and EG figures show that since the first time then PM Boris Johnson utter those two words “levelling up” in 2020, our regional cities continue to lag behind the capital. Investment is 23% lower, take up 12% lower and average rents a whopping 54% lower. Government is unlikely to really be able to level up this country, so how can our cities and the built environment make sure that they can? Helping to figure out the answer are: • Deborah Gordon Brown, partner, Shoosmiths • Kat Martindale, director and head of ESG research, Savills • Simon McCabe, chief executive, Scarborough Group International • Jackie Sadek, regeneration practitioner, Urban Strategy This episode runs as an aural accompaniment to EG’s UK Cities Guide, which looks at how well our cities are performing when it comes to the green agenda and the importance of the role of infrastructure – physical and digital – when it comes to creating an equal UK.