UCL plays key role in new Commission on regional inequalities

An independent Commission into inequality in the UK has launched, which will see UCL academics examine the nature of inequalities across the regions and nations of the UK. The Commission - UK2070 - was launched at a reception at the House of Lords and will be chaired by Lord Kerslake, the former head of the civil service. It will explore the costs and consequences, identify underlying causes and make recommendations for new policies to tackle the issues faced by disadvantaged areas, whilst supporting the sustainable growth of successful places. UCL joins the Commission along with four other universities, forming a research partnership with the University of Manchester, the University of Sheffield, the Heseltine Institute at the University of Liverpool and the University of Cambridge. The universities have provided resources and support for the Commission's work, with further support coming from the US' Lincoln Institute for Land Policy and the Sir Hugh and Lady Sykes Charitable Trust. UCL's lead academic on the Commission, Professor John Tomaney (UCL Bartlett School of Planning), said: "The UK2070 Commission is a major investigation into the causes of the UK's geographical inequalities with a view to better informing planning and other policies to address these. UCL's involvement is important because of the expertise we can bring to this issue, but also because as a world-leading university we should show care for what is happening to the economy and society across the UK, not just in our own backyard." Lord Kerslake said: "There will always be differences between places.