Leveling Up : United Kingdom ... Child Poverty The Missing Metric in the Leveling Up Agenda ...

Writing in the Times this week, David Smith, Economics Editor of the Sunday Times said "I find it hard to disagree with the more robust assessment provided by the Oxford Economics consultancy."

The report said: “The leveling-up white paper contains nothing to cause us to revise our forecasts for the UK’s various nations and regions, let alone the UK as a whole. While it contains many fine sentiments, there’s little that is new or significant.

“Many of the targets and missions outlined are pre-existing or vague, with little of substance in the scale of resources committed or the delivery mechanisms and projects involved."

Child Poverty The Missing Metric in the leveling up agenda ...
The government announced 12 missions and 49 metrics in the leveling up agenda. Much on health, education and well being, not much on child poverty. Child Poverty is 40% in Rochdale and 4% in Richmond. Child Poverty really is the Missing Metric In the Leveling Up Agenda.

Here are six of the twelve key objectives. SMART Objectives?
"Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time bound", you be the judge.

Mission 5: By 2030, the number of primary school children achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths will have significantly increased.

Mission 6: By 2030, the number of people successfully completing high-quality skills training will have significantly increased in every area of the UK.

Mission 7: By 2030, the gap in Healthy Life Expectancy (HLE) between local areas where it is highest and lowest will have narrowed. By 2035 HLE will rise by five years.

Mission 8: By 2030, well-being will have improved in every area of the UK, with the gap between top performing and other areas closing.

Mission 9: By 2030, pride in place, such as people’s satisfaction with their town centre and engagement in local culture and community, will have risen in every area of the UK.

Mission 11: By 2030, homicide, serious violence and neighbourhood crime will have fallen, focused on the worst-affected areas.

Twelve Missions and Forty Nine Metrics are included in the leveling-up white paper. Child Poverty is the Missing Mission and Metric in the leveling up agenda. An investment in the reduction of levels of Child Poverty across the regions would do much to accelerate the targets for health care, well being, education and skills.

Early stage investment in Child Poverty reduces the later costs to the economy in healthcare, social care and education. It may even lead to the great nirvana of higher productivity in later life.

40% in Rochdale and 4% in Richmond, Child Poverty is the Missing Mission and Metric in the leveling up agenda. Why not include Child Poverty? That really is a SMART objective ...