VALE of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has urged the Welsh Government to work with Westminster Government and regional authorities to ensure that the 12 central missions laid out in the UK Government’s Levelling-up White Paper are realised.

Published on Wednesday, the White Paper aims to level up parts of the country following the effects of the pandemic, and if fully implemented could provide improve lives across North Wales.

With Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove MP saying it “will only succeed if all layers of government work together” Dr Davies has called on authorities to heed this call.

Dr Davies said: “Levelling up is at the heart of the Government’s agenda to build back better after the pandemic and to deliver for citizens in every part of the United Kingdom.

“More than 175 projects right across Wales have received more than £165million in direct funding for schemes.

“In Denbighshire £150K was allocated to the county by the Chancellor last year to work up projects for the Levelling Up fund, whilst £2.9m was awarded to 14 Denbighshire projects which support people and communities most in need.

“North Wales has also received an 8.4% increase in its funding for 2022/23 to drive down crime and deliver safer streets for all.”

The Pre-Launch Guidance for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was published alongside the Levelling Up White Paper.

The Vale of Clwyd MP added: “The Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK Government’s ambitious levelling up agenda and it provides £2.6 billion of new funding for local investment by March 2025, with all areas of the UK receiving an allocation from the Fund via a funding formula rather than a competition.”

“Progress is being made, but there is more work to be done, which is why the UK Government has written to local leaders and the Welsh Government to ask them to work in synergy.

“Whatever political differences or disagreements we may have, we are united in the common aim that we must deliver for the people of North Wales.”