‘Levelling Up? That’s never going to happen’: perceptions on Levelling Up in a ‘Red Wall’ locality

Emerging as the flagship policy of Conservative Government in 2019, Levelling Up agenda identified need to ameliorate United Kingdom’s (UK) spatial inequalities with a particular focus on so-called left behind places. However, there is dearth qualitative research these locales that explores what means residents and how they believe it can be success. Drawing upon 25 interviews Redcar & Cleveland – unitary authority was central 2019 collapse Red Wall this article their nuanced sentiments agenda. After presenting brief history Cleveland, study’s methodology presented. The findings sections are then structured into three themes: (a) ambiguity Up, (b) Cleveland’s freeport, (c) cynicism Up. It explicates locals improved public infrastructure well-remunerated employment, particularly through authority’s recently opened should area. Next, paper exposes towards closes by suggesting failures Level will serve entrench peoples’ discontent places like Cleveland.