Department of Levelling Up to ‘shed the political slogan’
Angela Rayner has confirmed the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will be renamed to rid the office of the Conservatives ‘empty promises, gimmicks and gestures’.
Since its creation in the early 2000s the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has undergone several name changes. The sector began as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and progressed onto the Department for Communities and Local Government in 2006 under Tony Blair’s administration before Theresa May renamed it the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
This title has proven particularly popular as our latest deputy prime minister has confirmed the Department of Housing, Communities and Local Government will be the office she leads.
‘The Labour Government’s recent decision to rename the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government aims to shed the political slogan “levelling up,” associated with Boris Johnson’s previous election campaign,’ said Lawrence Turner, director of Boyer. ‘The re-inclusion of “local government” in the title should symbolise the importance of empowering and encouraging local authorities to implement the Government’s planning reforms. The Prime Minister’s recent meetings with metro mayors and the proposed bill on devolution highlight the crucial role that local government will play in planning and delivering the pledged 1.5 million new homes over the next five years.’
William Nicholas, regional director at Lanpro, added: ‘Personally I always felt that ‘levelling up’ thing was a bit of a ruse and seemed to become a slogan used for all parts of the country not just the so called ‘left behind’ areas.
‘The name change merely reverts to the previous departmental name with the reintroduction of ‘local government’ in its title. I suspect the new Labour government has done this for a number of reasons – to reemphasise the role of local government (perhaps particularly important given early indications of their somewhat national approach on large scale infrastructure projects) demonstrating that they see local authorities and mayors playing a significant and collaborative role in the future growth of the country.
‘Additionally, I suspect there will be a desire to distance themselves from the previous government (particularly given planning reform is a central tenet of the new government’s mantra), and the term ‘levelling up’ was heavily associated with Boris Johnson and had become seen by many with scepticism. Potentially would have given the new administration a stick for the opposition and electorate to beat it with, if it is unable to achieve the widespread economic boost and tangible regeneration of towns and cities promised. Indeed, Starmer has said several times that his new approach will take time.
‘But most importantly, a name change in of itself achieves nothing. Understandably, the new government wants to make a break with the previous administration, but the true measure of success will be in what is delivered.’
Experts have theorised that the desire to include ‘local government’ within the departments new name comes from Labour’s plans to prioritise devolution. Whilst campaigning to get into post Keir Starmer made it clear he wanted to pass some powers from Westminster to local authorities and this was confirmed via the Kings speech on Wednesday where it was announced the English Devolution Bill will be implemented.
Taking to X (formally known as Twitter), Angela Rayner tweeted: ‘A government of public service means fixing the fundamentals to deliver for the British people. No more gimmicks and slogans, but the hard yards of governing in the national interest.
‘The department I lead will be the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.’
Image: Paul Buffington
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