Leeds City Council Leader responds to Levelling Up Fund announcement

Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:

 “This is incredibly disappointing as we put enormous effort into high-quality, well-constructed bids with an imaginative approach to linking up existing funding and opportunities in a way that would benefit the whole of Leeds.  The focus was on breathing new life into parks, transport infrastructure and local economies across the city’s six parliamentary constituencies that have not yet received levelling up or towns deal funding.

“The benefits would not only have been felt in our most deprived communities, but also would have positively impacted economic growth, health and wellbeing and quality of living across all areas of the city.

“We will be seeking urgent feedback from ministers for the reason why they rejected all six bids.  This comes after much needed rail projects for Leeds were scrapped in 2021 under the Integrated Rail Plan.  We will continue to strongly press the case for the proper funding that a city the size of Leeds with a population of 812k needs and deserves.”

More information about the innovative bids can be found here: Leeds sets out ambitious plans in a bid for over £100 million of levelling up funding

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