Most levelling up projects still unfinished years after funding allocated

The Guardian Business · 10/24/2026, 6:00:27 AM

Data released under freedom of information laws reveals hundreds of projects unfinished despite Tory promises on regional equality • Can a £5.8bn scheme help revive Grimsby and other town centres? Most levelling up projects are not finished, years after funds were allocated, highlighting how ambitious Conservative promises of quick progress on regional equality have faltered. Data released under freedom of information laws and manually reviewed by the Guardian found 821 levelling up projects out of 1,347 were yet to be finalised as of May this year. Across the UK, 73 council areas that had a bid for a project accepted were yet to see a single one fully completed. The Guardian has identified 59 projects that were completed since the data was collected. Continue reading...