Chequers away day to plan levelling up

The prime minister is planning an away day to Chequers next week to discuss plans to “level-up”, but not all his ministers are keen on the idea. The prime minister has invited his colleagues to his official country residence in Buckinghamshire to hear a 45-minute presentation by Michael Gove, the levelling-up secretary, and Andy Haldane, a former chief economist at the Bank of England who is now advising the government. Seven ministers have been asked to give quickfire presentations lasting no longer than five minutes setting out how their departments will have levelled up the country by 2024. They will also be required to bring with them A3 maps showing their plans, along with a one-page slide to illustrate their hopes for 2030. Some ministers are irritated by the timing of the event, which takes place during recess. The Treasury has made clear to departments before the meeting that there will be no additional funding beyond that set out in the spending review last month. The government is expected to publish its white paper detailing its legislative plans to address regional economic disparities next month. The Times (£)