COMMUNITY leaders in Allerdale have clashed over the levelling-up agenda, which was released by the Government last week.

Last Wednesday, the Government unveiled its long-promised 'levelling-up' plan to improve opportunities across the country.

The plan was a key pledge in the Conservative’s 2019 Election Manifesto, and it aimed to address people and communities who feel they have been left behind, giving them a chance to 'catch up'.

The strategy, unveiled by Levelling-Up Secretary Michael Gove, aims to improve services such as education, broadband and transport.

The plans have been welcomed by some within the county, who welcomed the release of the white paper and said 'it is clear' the levelling up agenda is already working in the area.

Workington MP, Mark Jenkinson said: "I welcome the Levelling up White Paper, which lays out the work that has already been done by this Government and what more there is to come, to achieve more investment and create better opportunities in constituencies such as my constituency of Workington.

“This last week has seen some announcements of new funding, but the White Paper sets out a plan that goes way beyond the next election, by which all future interventions and funding streams can be targeted and measured against.

“It is clear that locally, the levelling up agenda is working. We have already benefitted from a Town Deal in Workington, Future High Street fund in Maryport and investment at the Port of Workington.

"This investment totals tens of millions of pounds into our local area.

“In addition, Cumbria is currently undergoing long overdue local government reform. I have campaigned hard for unitary authorities in Cumbria and I am very pleased that there will be two unitary authorities established, which will simplify the bureaucracy and streamline council services.

"Our county has been over-governed with poor leadership at a county level, for too long. Cumberland - the new authority in the West - will give local government the reboot that it needs locally.

“I am keen to see a devolution deal for Cumbria that strengthens every area of our county and the Levelling Up White Paper suggests that this is the direction of travel for the Government. Investment and opportunity are key to our success locally.

"However, we cannot just wait for the opportunities to come to us. I will be working hard with businesses and local organisations, as well as making representations to Government to ensure that the Workington constituency is at the heart of the Levelling Up agenda.”

However, Labour have criticised the Conservatives' key manifesto pledge, saying that the plans involve spending no new money and little new thinking.

Labour Leader on Allerdale Alan Smith, said: "The Government’s levelling up agenda really looks like a gimmick. They want us to believe that investment in the north is something new. Maybe for the Conservatives.

"Since 2010 they have slashed funding to councils leaving many increasingly reliant on other sources of income like council tax, parking charges and fines.

"These cuts meant job losses, with Allerdale alone forced to shed over 200 members of staff. This has not only meant fewer resources for filling potholes and cleaning streets.

"Importantly it has meant fewer staff and resources to work on vital economic regeneration schemes."

The councillor said that the levelling up fund is 'small sums' compared to what Labour have offered residents of the area when they were in power.

Mr Smith said: "In 2005 we saw the first shops open following a £70m pound regeneration of Workington Town Centre. This was money secured by a Labour council under a Labour government which transformed the town centre.

"Compare this to the small sums on offer in Workington and Maryport now. The reality is, what they call 'levelling up', we call business as usual.

"If the Government is really keen to ‘level up’, I suggest they ask a basic question. Why does a £12m mansion in London’s Mayfair pay the same council tax as a council house on Moorclose Road?"

Although other groups locally welcomed any additional funding to the area, some figures have viewed the agenda as a 're-release' of previous funding from the government.

Allerdale Independents leader Paul Scott, said: "I've not actually read all of the 330+ pages in the White Paper but it's important to say I welcome any and all investment in to Workington, Allerdale and indeed Cumbria.

"We know austerity seriously damaged our area and there is clearly a long way to go before we hit the levelling up agenda promised in the 2019 elections.

"We've heard so much about levelling up since 2019 it now seems like a re-release of it rather than new opportunities. Everything is being flagged as levelling up from general repairs to the town deals announced in 2019, for our area I ask what else is to follow behind the present deals?

"We need more investment in jobs, skills, 5G Internet county wide, improved transport and a devolution deal on the table as a matter of priority. We need access to funding promised by a unitary and mayor should bring, this must help us drive our own plans locally.

"We must look forward and use what else the levelling up agenda brings, (if anything) and hope more funding will be announced to bridge the ever expanding gap between ourselves and other areas of the country."