At the beginning of February 2022, the UK government announced its long-awaited “levelling up” plan to address and close the gap between the richest and poorest parts of the country.

An ambitious target of 2030 is set and much needed, as the United Kingdom is one of the most geographically uneven countries, with income inequality ranked as one of the highest in Europe, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

Addressing the unequal level of productivity and economic success (which has historically been focused on select parts of the country, namely the South East) is high on the agenda. The government’s strategy also encompasses a broader range of social inequalities to include education, health and connectivity.

To achieve this, the plan highlights detailed initiatives guided by 12 mission statements (see table on page 31).

These statements help frame the national agenda. But the plan is not about making places identical. Inequalities vary no