Data released under freedom of information laws shows the Conservative government's levelling up programme is running substantially behind schedule, with most funded projects still incomplete years after money was allocated.
The Guardian reviewed freedom of information responses and found that 821 out of 1,347 levelling up projects (61 percent) remained unfinished as of May. The analysis identified 73 council areas across the UK that had accepted bids but had not completed a single project. Since that data collection point, the Guardian identified 59 additional completed projects.
The findings undercut Conservative messaging about rapid progress on regional equality. The levelling up agenda, a flagship policy initiative aimed at reducing economic disparities between different parts of the country, has faced implementation delays across multiple regions. No figures are provided for total funding allocated to the programme or timelines originally promised for completion.
The extent of incompletion is consistent across the country rather than concentrated in specific areas, suggesting systemic delays in project delivery rather than isolated problems. The data does not clarify reasons for delays, whether caused by procurement processes, planning permission, funding disputes, or other factors.