Executive Summary
Based on surveys conducted over the past three years, Professor Will Jennings' research reveals how the public views the places they live. Professor Jennings has been invited to parliament by the Labour Growth Group to present his research. This presentation of findings will help ensure these insights inform parliamentary debate and government policy.
Key findings from his research include:
- People are generally proud of the places they live in. However, this coexists with a strong sense of being left behind by, and having a growing resentment towards government, especially in areas with higher levels of deprivation.
- A majority of people (52%) believe that it is important to improve areas that have been left behind, rather than focusing on the economy as a whole.
- People are able to recognise whether their local area is doing better or worse than other areas, as these evaluations tend to correspond to levels of deprivation on relevant indicators for this local constituency.
Key takeaways: the politics of levelling up in 2026
- Pride in Place is the successor to Levelling-up, with delivery led by communities rather than centrally and politically coordinated.
- Substantial material uplifts are still needed across a range of domains that go beyond Pride in Place. Place-based concerns reflect the material conditions of the economy, society and public services.
- Policy-solutions must be connected to a political message about who the government represents and stands for.
Author:
Prof. Will Jennings, Associate Dean for Research & Enterprise in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Southampton.
