On this episode of Uncovered host Kelly Crichton is joined by Harriet Clugston, Data and Investigations editor for National World, who has been taking a closer look at the levelling up white paper which was recently published by the government.

It set out a number of ambitious targets for levelling up, all to be achieved by 2030.

These include closing the gap in healthy life expectancy, improving people’s “pride of place” in the communities around them, lifting up housing standards in the private rented sector, and reducing adult illiteracy.

The plan however contains no reference to new money to achieve all of this. It also doesn’t mention council finances. Harriet speaks to Johnathan Webb, who is a senior research fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research North about this funding issue and the impact it is having on local communities.