This Term has been Retired
Following the 2024 general election, the Labour government systematically dropped the phrase “levelling up” from department names, ministerial titles, and grant frameworks.
Core Commitments remain funded
While no new funding rounds will be launched under the “Levelling Up” banner, existing core projects previously approved under Rounds 1, 2, and 3 are still being funded and managed through the new streamlined portfolio.
Under the former Levelling Up Fund (LUF) programme, Somerset secured funding for a number of regeneration, transport, heritage and skills projects. The main successful Somerset-wide bid highlighted by Somerset Council was for the Bridgwater and West Somerset constituency, covering projects in Bridgwater and Minehead. A separate bid covering Highbridge, Cheddar and Shepton Mallet (Wells constituency) was unsuccessful.
Other Government regeneration programmes linked to “Levelling Up”
Although not technically Levelling Up Fund projects, Somerset has also benefited from related UK Government regeneration programmes that were part of the wider Levelling Up agenda:
- Bridgwater Town Deal (including Northgate Docks, Celebration Mile and town-centre improvements).
- Taunton Town Deal projects.
- Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme.
Unsuccessful Somerset Levelling Up bid
The Wells constituency bid covered:
- Highbridge
- Cheddar Gorge and surrounding area
- Shepton Mallet
This bid was not approved by Government.