Levelling Up Projects Need Long-Term Commitment to Succeed 2026

Levelling up projects across the UK remain largely unfinished years after funding was allocated, highlighting a critical need for long-term commitment to urban regeneration. The fact that the vast majority of these projects are incomplete is disappointing but not surprising, according to Dr Rob Richardson, Lecturer in Urban Planning. Decades of UK and EU policy experience show that regeneration takes time to plan and deliver, often extending beyond a single parliamentary term.

Why Levelling Up Projects Fall Short

The approach taken by Boris Johnson's government—pushing through top-down projects on unrealistic timescales in hopes of electoral rewards—was characteristically misguided. Such short-term thinking fails to account for the complex, multi-year nature of urban regeneration. Research from the universities of Manchester, Liverpool, and Salford, involving local authorities in north-west England, reveals that addressing regional inequalities requires stable, long-term funding and targeted support for local capacity.

Many authorities began to rebuild regeneration skills and capacity lost over a decade of austerity through levelling up. However, these gains were mitigated by the resources needed for competitive bidding and uncertainty around funding eligibility rules.

The Importance of Stable Funding for Regeneration

Stable funding is the backbone of successful regeneration. Without it, local authorities cannot plan effectively or retain skilled teams. The stop-start nature of competitive bidding wastes resources and undermines progress. As the research shows, long-term commitment allows communities to build capacity and deliver projects that truly address inequality.

• Long-term funding is essential for planning and delivering regeneration projects.
• Competitive bidding diverts resources from actual delivery.
• Local capacity building was a positive outcome of levelling up but needs support.
• Uncertainty around eligibility rules hampers progress.
• Political cycles often conflict with the multi-year nature of regeneration.
• Learning from past mistakes is crucial for future success.

What Needs to Change

Andy Burnham's government must learn from these shortcomings. Local leaders and communities need the stability and tools to deliver long-term regeneration where it is most needed. This means moving away from short-term, top-down approaches and embracing a collaborative, sustained effort.

Dr Richardson's research underscores that addressing regional inequalities is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires a commitment that transcends electoral cycles and prioritizes genuine capacity building over quick wins. The background to this story is set out in UK High Street Regeneration: £210m Boost for Local Economies. A related thread runs through Business: latest articles.

Comparing Approaches to Urban Regeneration

The Path Forward for Levelling Up

The lessons from unfinished levelling up projects are clear: sustainable regeneration demands patience, resources, and trust in local leadership. As the UK seeks to address regional disparities, it must adopt a long-term perspective that empowers communities and builds resilience. Earlier coverage in UK Government's Long-Term Outcomes Focus Could Transform Spending shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Former Rough Sleepers Reveal What Really Helped Them Off the Streets.

With the right support, local authorities can turn the tide on inequality and create lasting change. The evidence from Greater Manchester and beyond offers a roadmap—if only policymakers choose to follow it. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Labour Ends Cooperation With Greens in 11 Councils Over Zionism Policy. The same theme surfaces in China's Hukou System: The Invisible Border Affecting 358 Million People, which takes a different angle.