FOI data shows 821 of 1,347 UK levelling-up projects unfinished as of May 2026
Guardian-reviewed FOI data finds 821 of 1,347 levelling-up projects unfinished as of May 2026, with 73 council areas yet to complete a single project.
The story in focus
Freedom-of-information data reviewed by The Guardian shows 821 of 1,347 levelling-up projects across the UK were not finalised as of May 2026. Seventy-three council areas with an accepted bid had no fully completed project. The Guardian attributes delays partly to inflation eroding councils' awarded funds.
- The Guardian reports 821 of 1,347 projects across the Future High Streets Fund, Town Deals and Levelling Up Fund were unfinished as of May 2026
- 73 council areas with an accepted bid had not seen a single project fully completed
- The Guardian says Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland saw slower delivery, though with fewer projects overall
- The Guardian attributes delays partly to inflation, which led councils to scale back or pause projects
- Two funds were consolidated into the Local Regeneration Fund with a March 2028 deadline; the £5.8bn Pride in Place programme was also launched
Areas affected
The Guardian reports Blackburn with Darwen council had eight Local Regeneration Fund projects, none fully completed, and all eight Leeds projects remain open, including five in Morley covering town hall refurbishment, a learning and skills centre, a station gateway transport scheme, a greening and connectivity project and a Heritage Investment Programme only partly completed.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government told The Guardian it is committed to growth in every postcode and that more money from previous programmes is being delivered quicker through the Local Regeneration Fund.
Reaction
Jack Shaw of Groundwork Research, which supplied the data, told The Guardian that significant funding had not translated into substantive improvements in communities or local economies. Sarah Longlands of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies warned the Pride in Place programme could face similar pitfalls, noting capital money takes time.
Reaction
Jack Shaw of Groundwork Research, which supplied the data, told The Guardian that significant funding had not translated into substantive improvements in communities or local economies. Sarah Longlands of the Centre for Local Economic Strategies warned the Pride in Place programme could face similar pitfalls, noting capital money takes time.
How many levelling-up projects were unfinished as of May 2026?
The Guardian reports 821 of 1,347 projects across the Future High Streets Fund, Town Deals and Levelling Up Fund were not finalised as of May 2026, with 73 council areas yet to complete a single project.
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