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<p>The Levelling Up White Paper sets out how we will spread opportunity more equally
across all parts of the UK, including Essex. The government’s plan is underpinned
by 12 ambitious missions that will serve as an anchor for policy across government,
as well as catalysing innovation and action by local partners.</p><p>On ‘Levelling
Up Essex’, ‘Everyone’s Essex’, and other local strategies, the government recognises
that levelling up is a collective endeavour. Success in closing spatial disparities
across Essex will rely on input, buy-in and partnership with local stakeholders.</p><p>The
White Paper highlights how Essex is already benefiting from investments to boost living
standards, spread opportunity, restore local pride and empower local leaders. These
include the government’s commitment to develop a new integrated, high-tech healthcare
campus to replace the ageing Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, as well as providing
a new Institute of Technology at South Essex College. Basildon, Harlow and Southend-on-Sea
will also receive expert support from the High Street Task Force.</p><p>To date, Essex
has also benefited from £19.9 million from the Levelling Up Fund to support the fishing
industry at Leigh-on-Sea and to enhance the visitor offer along Southend seafront.
Essex County Council, Thurrock Council and Southend-on-Sea Borough Council have also
received a combined £5.6 million from the Community Renewal Fund to help support local
areas to pilot imaginative new approaches, including a pilot with Harlow College to
support economically inactive, unemployed and employed adults, and a project to develop
the capacity of Harlow-based organisations through the Harlow Local Procurement Portal.</p><p>Communities
in the East of England are set to benefit from the Thames Freeport and Freeport East,
and government is also backing the Thames Estuary Growth Board. Government has invested
£23.7 million through the Towns Fund to regenerate Harlow and address transport connectivity
challenges within the town, with a further £60.9 million from the Fund awarded to
Colchester, Grays and Tilbury.</p><p>Going forwards, local authorities in Essex will
also be able to bid for further funding through the second round of the Levelling
Up Fund and use the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to further support Levelling Up priorities
in the region. Finally, the White Paper sets out for the first time a clear framework
for devolution in England, supporting areas to develop devolution proposals which
demonstrate effective leadership and sensible geography.</p>
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