London 23 June(UNIPA News)-Northern political and business leaders have accused Brexit advocates of failing to deliver promised economic benefits after new government data showed London received significantly higher public spending per person than any other region of the United Kingdom.
Analysis of HM Treasury figures for the 2024/25 fiscal year found that residents of the capital benefited from government expenditure levels 26 percent above the UK average, despite years of post-Brexit commitments aimed at reducing regional inequalities.
The findings have renewed criticism of the government’s “Levelling Up” agenda, a flagship policy introduced under former Prime Minister Boris Johnson following the UK’s departure from the European Union. The programme was designed to boost economic growth, improve transport infrastructure and raise living standards in regions outside London and the South East.
Business leaders in northern England argued that many of the promises made during and after the Brexit campaign have not been fulfilled. Critics said communities that expected increased investment and economic opportunities have seen limited progress despite the distribution of billions of pounds through government funding schemes.
The Levelling Up programme included £4.8 billion in grants distributed through multiple funding rounds, targeting areas identified as most in need of economic development. Additional initiatives included the £3.2 billion Towns Fund and the £3.5 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which was introduced to replace support previously provided through European Union programmes and to address regional disparities.
Critics of the policy have also questioned how the funds were allocated, with some arguing that investment was too heavily focused on social and cultural projects rather than initiatives capable of generating long-term economic growth and productivity.
The latest spending figures are likely to intensify debate over whether post-Brexit regional development policies have achieved their stated objectives, particularly in parts of northern England that were expected to benefit most from efforts to rebalance the national economy.
