JESSIES BLOG: Worcester’s 5 million Levelling Up Funding in Jeopardy – Time to Make Our Voices Heard

Jessie Jagger, Jessie's Blog, Press Release, Worcester City Council
November 6, 2024

When it comes to investment, Worcester has always been left fighting for scraps, but our hopes for more funding have been shattered. Not only has the Labour Government not offered us anything extra they could be taking away money we thought we had in the bank!

Under the Conservatives, we were given crumbs – barely enough to scratch the surface of what our community needs to thrive. Now, the Central Labour government is making us beg even for those crumbs.

The £5 million we were promised for local cultural projects is under threat, and Worcester is once again left in limbo while the government shifts priorities to their traditional northern base.

The government recently announced a review of Levelling Up funding for the Midlands, citing “difficult choices” and “core priorities” in an effort to obscure what’s really going on:

this is not an issue of limited money, it’s a political decision about which communities they believe they can afford to disappoint. And, unfortunately, Worcester and other Midlands towns are at the top of that list.

What’s Happening?

In the Spring Budget 2024, Worcester was promised £5 million in Levelling Up funding based on real need, not as part of a bidding process. But now, the government is “consulting” on whether to follow through, leaving Worcester on shaky ground while they secure projects they deem “significant” in the north.

Let’s be clear—this isn’t about whether funding is available. The government has chosen to secure funding for its traditional Labour base in the north, while making communities in the Midlands, like ours, reapply and wonder if our needs are considered “significant” enough.

For Worcester, the message is loud and clear: they’re willing to leave us in limbo. The nice-sounding words from the government cannot obscure that fact.

The Liberal Democrat Position: Fighting for Worcester’s Future

We are urging the central government to ensure Worcester gets the funding it was promised. We’re launching a public campaign to make it known that Worcester deserves fair treatment, not second thoughts.

Our focus is on the central government’s decisions—not on our city council Labour colleagues who have been put in an impossible position. However, as an opposition party, it’s our role to speak out and hold the government accountable. We’re connecting with other Lib Dem groups across the Midlands, and if this campaign gains momentum, it could mean up to £45 million in funding pressure for the government across the region. Securing our £5 million for Worcester now is the most cost-effective choice they could make.

What You Can Do

The government needs to hear directly from us, the people of Worcester. We’re asking everyone who feels let down by this funding decision to make your voices heard loud and clear.

Worcester is no stranger to flooding each winter—now it’s time to flood the inboxes of Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, and our own MP, Tom Collins our MP and Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Let them know that Worcester isn’t willing to be overlooked.

Our message is simple: we don’t accept that Worcester’s projects are insignificant. We’re tired of being handed the crumbs and tired of seeing other regions receive guaranteed support while we’re left to wonder. We want certainty for our community, not political spin.

Together, we can send a message that Worcester won’t sit back and accept anything less than the fair share we were promised. Let’s hold this government accountable and make sure they know that Worcester deserves to thrive.

Here are some template e-mails and tweets you can use but please feel free to adapt them and make them personal. The more personal the more likely they are to be effective.

Template e-mails:

Tom Collins MP for Worcester

tom.collins.mp@parliament.uk

@tomcollinsworcs

Subject: Fight for our 5 Million in Levelling Up Funding

Hi Tom,

As a resident of Worcester, I’m reaching out to urge you to do everything you can to secure the £5 million in Levelling Up funding that was promised to our community. This funding wasn’t just a hopeful bid—it was assigned to us based on real local need, and it’s critical to the future of our city.

It’s disappointing to see Worcester left in limbo while other areas are guaranteed support. Worcester deserves certainty, not to be treated as an afterthought. I hope you’ll make sure our needs are heard loud and clear in central government. Please, push for Worcester to get the fair support we were promised.

Thanks for standing up for our city,

Your Name

Your address

Rache Reeves

Chancellor of the Exchequer

rachel.reeves.mp@parliament.uk

@RachelReevesMP

Subject: Worcester Deserves Certainty – Secure Our £5 Million in Levelling Up Funding

Dear Ms. Reeves

I’m writing to you as a concerned resident of Worcester regarding the £5 million Levelling Up funding that our community was promised. This funding would make a real difference in Worcester, but now we’re hearing it’s under review. It’s worrying to see areas like ours in the Midlands being left uncertain, while other regions receive guaranteed support.

Worcester has been overlooked too often. It’s crucial that this government recognises our community’s needs and doesn’t make us reapply for funding that was already promised. Worcester deserves a fair chance to thrive, and I hope you’ll ensure we’re given the certainty we need to move forward.

Thank you,

Your Name

Your address

Angela Rayner

Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

angela.rayner.mp@parliament.uk

@AngelaRayner

Subject: Standing Up for Worcester’s Fair Share of Levelling Up Funding

Dear Angela,

I hope you’re well. I’m reaching out as a resident of Worcester with deep concerns about the £5 million in Levelling Up funding our community was promised. This support is crucial to our city, and losing it now would be a huge setback for the many projects that are counting on it.

It feels like an indignity to have to reapply for the crumbs the Tories initially allocated. We’d hoped that with Labour in power, Worcester’s needs would be met with certainty, not more uncertainty. Communities like ours shouldn’t have to fight to prove that we’re worth the investment, especially after funding was already promised.

I know you’ve always been a champion for fairness, and I believe that, with your help, Worcester can get the support it deserves. Requiring us to reapply for funding already assigned to us undermines our confidence in a fair process and sends the wrong message about where Labour’s priorities lie.

Angela, please help make sure that Worcester isn’t left feeling like an afterthought. With your voice, I know we can secure what’s rightfully ours and restore confidence that our community’s needs won’t be sidelined.

Thank you so much for all you do. We’re grateful to have someone with your commitment to fairness advocating for us.

Warm regards,

Your Name

Your address

Template tweets:

just copy and paste Twitter every two days for the next 6 weeks.

🚨 Worcester was PROMISED £5M in Levelling Up funding—now it’s at risk! We need @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs to stand up for our city and make sure we get what we’re owed! 💪 #WorcesterFirst #LevellingUp
💬 Worcester isn’t “insignificant”—our community deserves the £5M we were promised! 📩 Let’s make sure @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs hear us loud and clear! #WorcesterDeservesBetter #LevellingUp
❗ Time to step up for Worcester! £5M in funding is on the line, and our city shouldn’t be left in limbo. 🏙️ @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs, let’s secure the support we need! #MidlandsDeserveMore #LevellingUp
🏙️ Worcester’s projects are vital, and we’re not backing down! 📢 @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs, let’s get our £5M back on track! 💥 #WorcesterFirst #FairFunding
🔍 Why is Worcester left waiting while the north secures its funding? 💬 @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs, our £5M should be a PRIORITY. Let’s get this sorted! #LevellingUp #MidlandsDeserveMore
💥 Don’t let Worcester be treated as an afterthought! We need @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs to help secure the £5M we were promised. No more delays! 🚀 #WorcesterDeservesBetter #LevellingUp
🚨 Worcester was promised £5M, but now it’s in doubt. We need @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP and @tomcollinsworcs to step up and secure what was promised! Let’s put #WorcesterFirst! 💪🏽🏛️ #LevellingUp
💸 Why is Worcester left waiting while other regions get guaranteed funding? Communities like ours deserve certainty. @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs—help us get our £5M! 📩 #MidlandsDeserveMore #LevellingUp
🔥 Time for action! Worcester needs the £5M in Levelling Up funding to thrive. Let’s make sure we’re not left behind. @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs #FairFunding #WorcesterFirst
🛑 Worcester shouldn’t have to beg for crumbs! The £5M funding was promised, and we need it secured now. @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs—we’re counting on you! 🙏🏽 #LevellingUp #WorcesterDeservesBetter
🚀 Worcester’s future depends on this funding. Let’s make sure our community gets its fair share. @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs, let’s get this done! 💥💸 #LevellingUp #MidlandsDeserveMore
📢 Worcester is calling! We need the promised £5M secured, not left in limbo. @AngelaRayner @RachelReevesMP @tomcollinsworcs—help make our projects a reality! 🌟🏛️ #WorcesterFirst #LevellingUp