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Jeremy Hunt has unveiled 拢761m for various projects aimed at boosting regeneration in his first full budget as chancellor.

The chancellor today announced 拢400m for 鈥榣evelling up partnerships鈥� for 20 areas of England the government considers are most in need of levelling up (see box below).

The government said it will 鈥渨ork with local leader and mayors鈥� along with local businesses to 鈥渋dentify and address barriers to levelling up鈥�.

It said the 拢400m will be allocated on a 鈥渃ase-by-case basis鈥� but spread across the regions geographically.

Hunt pledged to invest 拢200m in local regeneration projects in left behind places across England judged to be 鈥渉igh quality鈥�.

>>See also: Budget 2023: key measures at-a-glance

>>See also: Missed chances and little to excite in Hunt鈥檚 first Budget

The government is also putting 拢161m into high-capital regeneration projects including including business premises and food science facilities in Tees Valley, and unlocking investment in a research campus in the Liverpool City Region.

Hunt also announced that West Midlands and Greater Manchester Combined Authorities would get more control over affordable housing funding in their areas.

The two authorities will 鈥渟et the overall strategic direction, strategy, objectives and local leadership for the deployment of the Affordable Homes Programme鈥� in their region.

Hunt said: 鈥淚 will also boost mayors鈥� financial autonomy by agreeing multi-year single settlements for the West Midlands and the Greater Combined Manchester Authority at the next spending review, something I intend to roll out for all mayoral areas over time.鈥�