Inflation forces councils to abandon levelling up plans

Inflation is forcing local authorities to abandon regeneration projects. Plans by the government to spend £4.8bn on its “levelling up” programme appear in jeopardy, with councils warning that many projects are now simply not viable. “The government has to recognise the increasing cost or these projects won’t get done,” said Sharon Taylor, vice-chair of the District Councils Network. “We will end up in 2024 with half the number… or lots not completed.” A DCN membership survey this summer found that 40% of respondents said the effects of inflation would force them to delay proposals, or make them unviable in their current form. The Levelling-up Department said it was working with councils to understand the effects of inflation. The FT (£)