LONDON: UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has unveiled new measures to help grow the country, including by taking a more flexible approach to devolution and growing the private sector.  Johnson set out the catalytic role for government and the need to empower strong local leaders by taking a more flexible approach to devolution, with new "County Deals" to take devolution beyond the largest cities, as per reports.

Speaking from Coventry, he called for focusing on growing the private sector by creating the conditions for long-term growth and productivity and investing in infrastructure and connectivity as well as ensuring that people have access to good public services, and the skills and training needed to get good jobs. The initiative will give places the tools they need to pilot new ideas, create jobs, drive growth and improve public services, according to a statement from Downing Street. Another key part of the Prime Minister's plan is the regeneration of high streets by adapting to changing economic trends.

He said there will be new funding of 50 million pounds ($69 million) next year for grassroots football pitches to enable more people to access high-quality football pitches, targeting at left-behind communities and helping to address health inequalities, as well as ensuring more people can play the nation's sport. He went on to say, "I believe we will have made progress in levelling up when we have begun to raise living standards, spread opportunity improved our public services and restored people's sense of pride in their community."

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