Unless Whitehall devolves its powers, 'levelling up' is doomed to fail | Miatta Fahnbulleh

So-called missions to improve people's lot nationwide require local knowledge and local powers if they are to be fulfilled

For two and a half years, it was like waiting for Godot. But the levelling up white paper is finally here. So was it worth the wait?

First, the good points: the plan's ambitions are clear, and there are things to praise within it. For one, the notable shift of focus to improving living standards rather than simply targeting growth. Legally binding missions" to improve wellbeing across the country, close the gap in healthy life expectancy, narrow the attainment gap and boost wages and jobs are all a step forward. They show that the government has finally understood that its previous strategy of pursuing growth above all else failed to improve the lives and livelihoods of people in the country that most needed it.

Miatta Fahnbulleh is chief executive of the New Economics Foundation