How did we get here? Explaining the news

Can Boris Johnson “level up” Britain? Lord Heseltine says he’s not convinced

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Episode notes

Boris Johnson wants his time as Prime Minister to be defined by “levelling up” - making the poorest parts of the country as prosperous as the richest. But does he have a plan? And does he have an understanding of what is needed to do that? Lord Heseltine has devoted much of his career to the question of regeneration and regional growth. A Member of Parliament for 35 years, former Cabinet Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, back in the 1980s he pioneered what we would now call “levelling up” - famously devising 30 ideas for Liverpool’s regeneration after the 1981 Toxteth riots. He tells Andy Bell he has strong views on how it should happen, and reveals this Government thinks it’s worth getting his advice as well. How Did We Get Here? Explaining The News is a podcast from 5 News. Join Andy Bell as he explains the world’s biggest news stories through interviews with politicians, experts and analysts. Produced by Silvia Maresca.