Levelling Up Projects Still Unfinished Years After Funding Allocated 2026

Most levelling up projects in the UK remain unfinished years after funding was allocated, according to new data that highlights how ambitious Conservative promises of quick progress on regional equality have faltered. The figures, obtained under freedom of information laws and manually reviewed by the Guardian, reveal that 821 out of 1,347 levelling up projects were yet to be finalised as of May this year.

This means that 57% of projects are still incomplete, leaving many communities waiting for the promised revival of left-behind towns and the spread of opportunity across the country.

What the data reveals about levelling up project completion

The analysis shows that across the UK, 73 council areas that had a bid for a project accepted were yet to see a single one fully completed. The Guardian also identified 59 projects that were completed since the data was collected, suggesting some progress is being made, albeit slowly.

The figures cover three main funds associated with the levelling up agenda: the Future High Streets Fund (launched in 2018), Town Deals (2019), and the Levelling Up Fund (2021). The Future High Streets Fund was supposed to complete in March 2024, but many projects remain outstanding.

Regional disparities in project delivery

Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have seen slower delivery of their levelling up projects, despite having fewer overall. North-west England and Yorkshire also had low project completion rates, but they were also the two regions allocated the most projects to begin with.

This uneven progress raises questions about the effectiveness of the levelling up agenda in addressing regional inequalities. The data suggests that some of the most deprived areas, which were meant to benefit most, are still waiting for tangible results.

• 57% of levelling up projects remain unfinished as of May this year.
• 73 council areas have not seen a single completed project.
• Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have slower delivery despite fewer projects.
• North-west England and Yorkshire have low completion rates but received the most projects.
• The Future High Streets Fund was due to complete in March 2024.

Why levelling up matters and what was promised

Boris Johnson's government swept to power in 2019 after promising to revive left-behind towns and spread opportunity as part of a levelling up agenda headed by Michael Gove. The initiative was a central plank of the Conservative Party's domestic policy, aiming to reduce regional economic disparities.

However, with more than half of projects still unfinished, the figures show many communities are still waiting for those ambitions to become reality. The delays could have political implications, as voters in these areas may feel disillusioned by the lack of progress.

Comparing funding allocations and completion rates

The table below summarises the key data on levelling up projects across the UK, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

The data indicates that even in regions with fewer projects, delivery has been slow. This suggests systemic issues rather than just volume-related challenges.

What happens next for levelling up projects

With 821 projects still unfinished, the government faces pressure to accelerate delivery. The Guardian's findings may prompt calls for greater transparency and accountability in how levelling up funds are spent. The background to this story is set out in Business: latest articles. A related thread runs through Israel Election: Can Netanyahu Pull Off Another Political Comeback.

Communities awaiting completion may also demand clearer timelines. As the next general election approaches, the success or failure of levelling up could become a key electoral issue. Earlier coverage in Trump's Final Years: A World Divided Into Three Dangerous Blocs shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Gymnastics Sexual Assault Scandal: Has Reform Been Too Slow.

For businesses and local leaders, the delays mean uncertainty over infrastructure improvements and economic regeneration. Many will be watching closely to see if the remaining projects can be completed swiftly. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Spain's Regional Housing Price Gap Has Doubled Since the Pandemic. The same theme surfaces in AirPods 4 vs AirPods 5: Which Apple Earbuds Should You Buy, which takes a different angle.