REFOCUSING attention on his “leveling up” plans, prime minister Boris Johnson has announced a series of urban renewal projects worth 830 million pounds in towns and cities away from London.
"As the country gets back on its feet, the government has renewed its commitment to leveling up and tackling the issues that really matter to people," Johnson said in a statement on Wednesday (19), adding that he is determined to “seize the opportunity to create a fairer society, improve lives and build back better once and for all.”
Some 57 districts in the country will benefit from an 830 million-pound ($1.2 billion) fund which will be used to transform town centers into “vibrant places to live, work and shop.”
As a result of the funding, Grimsby will get a new cinema and market food hall to boost visitor numbers, Taunton will build a new outdoor performance venue and Sutton-in-Ashfield will repurpose vacant retail space into offices and hospitality venues.
More than 3,000 interior and business ministry jobs would move to Stoke-on-Trent in central England, Edinburgh, and Belfast by 2025. This is part of the government’s commitment to move 22,000 civil service roles outside of London and the South East by 2030, ensuring more policymakers reflect the communities they serve, as per Gov.UK.
The new “leveling up” plans also include a 10 million-pound package to boost teaching in four English districts that have lower than average numbers of pupils in good or outstanding schools. Another 18 million pounds will aim to help vulnerable young people from the most disadvantaged areas.
Johnson has long promised to “level up” prosperity across the U.K. This pledge said to have contributed largely to Conservative Party winning a big majority in the 2019 election, particularly in the traditional Labour heartlands of northern England. Moving government jobs into Scotland is expected to help him win more support in the region.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)