Hundreds of levelling up projects remain incomplete years after funding was awarded

Most of the projects funded under the Conservative government’s levelling up agenda remained unfinished years after the money was allocated, leaving many communities waiting for promised improvements. Freedom of information data reviewed by the Guardian found 821 of 1,347 projects had not been completed by May, raising questions about how quickly the schemes could deliver regional equality.

The figures cover the Future High Streets Fund, Town Deals and Levelling Up Fund. Seventy-three council areas with approved bids had not completed a single project, while Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland recorded slower delivery; north-west England and Yorkshire had low completion rates despite receiving the most projects. Inflation forced some councils to scale back or pause work, and the Town Deals and Levelling Up Fund have since been consolidated into Labour’s Local Regeneration Fund, with a March 2028 spending deadline.