The House of Lords is due to debate inequalities of region and place on 14 October 2021. This briefing has been prepared ahead of that debate, providing analytical measures of inequality and summarising the Government’s response as part of its ‘levelling up’ agenda.
Inequalities of region and place (405KB PDF)
Regional inequalities can be measured through a variety of different metrics, and several studies show that the inequalities within regions can be just as profound as those between different regions. In the UK, marked differences in economic performance, productivity, employment rates, and household income and poverty can be observed across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and between regions in those nations. When compared with other nations internationally, a recent Institute of Fiscal Studies study ranked the UK as the country with the greatest regional inequality of the 27 countries it examined.
The Government has committed to tackling regional inequality and to supporting disadvantaged or ‘left-behind’ communities through its ‘levelling-up’ agenda. It has announced a range of policy measures and funding to support this aim. They include, for example, the levelling-up fund, the community renewal and shared prosperity funds, town funds and county deals, and increased infrastructure and transport investment.
However, the Government has been criticised for a lack of coordination between these initiatives and accused of a lack of clarity about how it will deliver success. These criticisms have been particularly acute in the absence of a promised white paper on levelling up, due by the end of this year, which committees in both Houses have said should be published urgently. Of the funding announcements that have been made, the Government has also faced accusations from the Labour Party that it has prioritised areas based on flawed calculations—and according to political considerations—rather than measures such as deprivation and focusing investment on the poorest areas.
Inequalities of region and place (405KB PDF)
In January 2026, the government announced a new scheme to support urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship. Called the ‘Places of worship renewal fund for England’, it replaced the ‘Listed places of worship grant scheme’ which had run since 2001. This briefing provides an overview of both schemes, the government’s reasoning for the change and the reaction of stakeholders.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as ME or chronic fatigue syndrome, is a long-term health condition that is estimated to affect over 400,000 people in the UK. It is a fluctuating condition with symptoms including fatigue, sleep problems and brain fog. In 2025 the government published its final delivery plan on ME, which aimed to improve care and support for those with the condition.
Concerns about abuse and intimidation towards elected representatives have increased in recent years. The Jo Cox Civility Commission made a number of recommendations in a 2024 report to address this because of concerns that this activity would dissuade people from standing in elections and encourage existing representatives to stand down. The government has instigated a number of policies to tackle the abuse and intimidation of elected representatives.
