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Daily Record
Daily Record
Politics
Andrew Quinn

UK Government refuses to give Scottish councils scores for unsuccessful Levelling Up bids

Scottish councils will not be given scores for their unsuccessful Levelling Up round two bids despite being previously told that they would receive "full feedback".

An email from a policy advisor in the Department of Transport to Glasgow City Council and MPs showed that the UK Government "will not be releasing scores" on the bids.

The UK Government said that their feedback "focussed on areas of strength and areas that can be improved" instead.

This comes just weeks after junior Levelling Up minister Dehenna Davidson said in a Westminster Hall debate that "full feedback" would be given to bids.

Davidson also suggested in the same debate that areas which received round one Levelling Up funding were prevented from getting funding in the second round at the last minute.

The Department of Transport policy advisor said in the email: "The assessment process was undertaken by numerous teams of officials.

"We will not be releasing scores and have instead focussed on areas of strength and areas that can be improved.

"We hope this can be helpful as a basis for strengthening bids for future funding opportunities."

SNP Glasgow South West MP Chris Stephens asked about the lack of scorings in the House of Commons on Monday.

He said: "The Minister gave assurances in Westminster Hall less than two weeks ago that unsuccessful local authorities would receive feedback and their scorings.

"Local authorities are now being told that they will not receive their scorings. Why has that decision been taken?"

Junior Levelling Up minister Dehenna Davidson refused to comment on the scorings. She said that "local authorities will receive detailed feedback on their specific bids in due course."

Stephens then asked: "What confidence can local authorities have that this process is fair and transparent? Or is it simply the case that this policy is in tatters and no faith can be placed in this process?"

Davidson replied that Stephens should visit some areas which had received funding "and then look me in the eye and tell me that this policy is in tatters."

Stephens said that the lack of scoring was " incredible but perhaps not surprising".

He said: "Having changed the rules at the last possible moment, it is incredible but perhaps not surprising that local authorities are not being provided their scores for the bids they put forward.

"This is extremely disrespectful to the local government staff who spent significant staff hours putting bids together.

"Processes around the allocation of public money must be open, honest and transparent."

A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said:

“We give detailed feedback to all unsuccessful bidders, to support applications to any future funding opportunities.

“Devon, Swansea and Gateshead are amongst those who have had successful bids in round two after receiving feedback. These will deliver a world class conference centre in the north east and improved transport links in Exmouth.”

They added that scores were also not given out after the first round of funding.

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