Most UK levelling-up projects remain unfinished, records show
The Guardian’s review puts about 57% of projects across three funds still unfinished, while two programmes have an extended spending deadline of March 2028.
Loading… Բեռնվում է…
The Guardian’s review puts about 57% of projects across three funds still unfinished, while two programmes have an extended spending deadline of March 2028.
Most projects supported by three UK “levelling up” funds remained unfinished after their original deadlines, according to a Guardian analysis published on 24 October 2026. Its review of records released under freedom-of-information laws, adjusted for later completions it identified, put the unfinished share at about 57%.
The Conservative government came to power in 2019 promising to revive towns and spread opportunity through its levelling-up agenda. The figures measure delivery through three major funding programmes, rather than every regeneration scheme.
The records showed 821 of 1,347 projects unfinished as of May 2026. The Guardian identified 59 subsequent completions, bringing the unfinished share to its rounded figure of 57%. At the May snapshot, 73 council areas with an accepted funding bid had not had a single project fully completed.
Unfinished does not necessarily mean that residents have received no improvements. Some entries cover broader programmes with completed parts. In Leeds, for example, all eight funded projects remained open, but the heritage programme in Morley was partly complete.
The national figures exclude 69 projects that were cancelled or merged into existing projects. Some recent completions may also be missing: the Guardian checked published online announcements to update the government data, but said its corrections might not capture every completed project.
| Programme | Launched | Original timetable |
|---|---|---|
| Future High Streets Fund | 2018 | Completion by March 2024 |
| Town Deals | 2019 | Towns Fund money spent by March 2026 |
| Levelling Up Fund | 2021 | Money spent by March 2026 |
The Guardian reported that inflation contributed to delays. Rising costs reduced what councils could buy with their funding awards, forcing them to scale back or pause projects.
The UK’s Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the Local Regeneration Fund was allowing money from earlier programmes to be delivered more quickly. It also pointed to its £5.8 billion Pride in Place programme, which gives local people a say through local boards rather than requiring councils to compete for grants.
Under Labour, the Levelling Up Fund and Town Deals were combined into the Local Regeneration Fund. Their spending deadline is now March 2028, extending the time available to deliver the funded work.
The first National Security Strategy in two decades commits to deeper European cooperation as Canada and the European Union discuss closer ties.
2 min
Ukraine’s ombudsman plans food and medical aid for about 2,000 people in the Russian-occupied city on October 30, with mine clearance still under way.
3 min
The change applies across pension schemes from 28 October 2026. Where the member died before 75 and had enough remaining allowance, delays beyond two years no longer make lump sums taxable.
4 min