Digital skills ‘a huge challenge’ for Levelling Up department

Permanent secretary says DLUHC has a plan to help address need for expertise, including a dedicated pay framework

Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities permanent secretary Jeremy Pocklington has told MPs the ministry is making progress with recruiting and retaining staff with the skills it needs – but admits digital expertise remains “a huge challenge”.

Pocklington’s observations came during evidence given to parliament’s Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, where chair Clive Betts asked the perm sec about DLUHC’s capacity to step up, particularly if problems in local authorities become more acute.

“In my first year as permanent secretary in 2020 I reviewed capabilities in the department and established a capabilities strategy, and continue to ensure that’s up to date and we’re delivering against it,” Pocklington said. 

“What that identified was the importance, given the changing role of the department, that we increased our skills. Digital, data and project-delivery were probably the key areas that we identified. And we’ve continued to recruit and invest in those areas, so we do have the skills that we need. But, like others, we’re operating in a very tight labour market. Getting digital skills is a huge challenge – for example – for my department, as it is for every organisation in the country.”

Pocklington said DLUHC had continued to build up its sector expertise in areas like building-safety and local government.


Related content


“I don’t think you’d ever say that work is ever done, given natural turnover as we have in all government departments,” he said. “But I think we have made progress, over recent years, to ensure that we do have a better sectoral understanding as well as some of the capabilities that are required.”

Pocklington said a digital-skills pay framework agreed with HM Treasury had helped the department to pay more competitive salaries to attract properly qualified staff.

“The jargon is a DDaT pay framework, which the Treasury approved,” he said. “That’s what we’re using. Some – I don’t think all – other departments have introduced something similar. So that they can pay something closer to market rates for digital skills.”

Pocklington added that DLUHC had successfully recruited some staff with high-demand skills from outside of the capital, suggesting a more regional approach to hiring could be a solution.

The departmental chief was also questioned at yesterday’s session about the impact rising prices will have on levelling-up projects being funded by DLUHC.

He stopped short of conceding that some schemes bankrolled through initiatives such as the Levelling Up Fund would be cancelled, but he acknowledged that changes would need to happen to make some projects viable.

“Inflation is obviously something that we are looking at closely and working with delivery partners on,” he said. “We’re engaging particularly with local authorities on the delivery of our funds. We’re introducing flexibilities within the funding that we have allocated to allow delivery partners to rescope projects to bring in other sources of funding, where appropriate, so they can be delivered and we can keep – as far as possible – the original purpose.”

Pocklington acknowledged that it would not always be possible to rescope projects, but stressed it was the “sort of thing we want to see”.

The perm sec said an exception was being made for projects supported by the Community Ownership Fund, where DLUHC is providing additional funding because of an expectation that community groups will struggle to find new resources or rescope their schemes.

“In a fiscally unconstrained world, you might compensate for all costs,” he said. “But, unfortunately, we obviously have to live within our means and we’re looking as far as possible to rescope projects or to find other sources of funding or other creative solutions. It is challenging.”

 

Sam Trendall

Learn More →

62 thoughts on “Digital skills ‘a huge challenge’ for Levelling Up department

  1. Jorgedak January 22, 2025 at 10:14 am

    Mexican Easy Pharm: Mexican Easy Pharm – Mexican Easy Pharm

  2. Rodneyicems January 23, 2025 at 3:28 pm

    buying prescription drugs in mexico https://mexicaneasypharm.com/# mexican pharmaceuticals online
    mexican pharmaceuticals online

  3. Albertruith January 24, 2025 at 10:58 am

    https://predpharm.shop/# Pred Pharm
    online order prednisone

  4. Albertruith January 24, 2025 at 3:45 pm

    http://cytpharm.com/# CytPharm
    prednisone cream over the counter

  5. Albertruith January 24, 2025 at 8:48 pm

    https://predpharm.shop/# where can i get prednisone
    prednisone 1 mg daily

  6. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 1:59 am

    http://kamapharm.com/# Kama Pharm
    prednisone 2.5 mg

  7. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 9:11 am

    http://kamapharm.com/# Kamagra 100mg
    prednisone sale

  8. Albertruith January 25, 2025 at 5:12 pm

    https://predpharm.shop/# prednisone 10 mg price
    cortisol prednisone

  9. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 1:19 am

    http://kamapharm.com/# Kama Pharm
    prednisone canada prices

  10. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 8:55 am

    http://semapharm24.com/# semaglutide tablets price
    buy cheap prednisone

  11. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 4:17 pm

    https://kamapharm.com/# Kama Pharm
    buy prednisone no prescription

  12. Albertruith January 26, 2025 at 11:43 pm

    http://semapharm24.com/# cheap semaglutide pills
    20mg prednisone

  13. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 6:33 am

    https://predpharm.com/# PredPharm
    prednisone 5mg daily

  14. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 1:56 pm

    https://dappharm.com/# DapPharm
    50 mg prednisone canada pharmacy

  15. Albertruith January 27, 2025 at 7:30 pm

    http://cytpharm.com/# buy cytotec online
    prednisone 5mg price

  16. Albertruith January 28, 2025 at 12:49 am

    http://dappharm.com/# dapoxetine price
    cortisol prednisone

  17. MichaelVon January 28, 2025 at 7:37 pm

    http://farmabrufen.com/# FarmaBrufen
    top farmacia online

  18. MichaelVon January 29, 2025 at 12:23 am

    http://farmasilditaly.com/# pillole per erezione immediata
    farmacie online affidabili

  19. MichaelVon January 29, 2025 at 4:58 am

    http://farmatadalitaly.com/# farmacie online autorizzate elenco
    acquistare farmaci senza ricetta

  20. Bradleydug January 31, 2025 at 2:53 am

    Farmacie on line spedizione gratuita: Brufen senza ricetta – farmacie online sicure
    acquisto farmaci con ricetta

  21. Edwardvep January 31, 2025 at 3:25 am

    viagra ordine telefonico: Viagra – farmacia senza ricetta recensioni

  22. ClintTwefe January 31, 2025 at 3:30 am

    https://farmaprodotti.shop/# п»їFarmacia online migliore
    top farmacia online

  23. Nathangat January 31, 2025 at 4:06 am

    comprare farmaci online all’estero FarmTadalItaly farmacia online piГ№ conveniente

  24. LannyRinly January 31, 2025 at 6:18 am

    Los casinos son lugares de reuniГіn social.: winchile casino – winchile.pro

  25. Patrickbeisa January 31, 2025 at 8:12 am

    Entertainment shows are common in casinos.: taya365 – taya365.art

  26. LannyRinly January 31, 2025 at 11:02 am

    Los casinos celebran festivales de juego anualmente.: winchile casino – winchile casino

  27. Josephbycle January 31, 2025 at 11:44 am

    taya365 com login taya365 Loyalty programs reward regular customers generously.

  28. Patrickbeisa January 31, 2025 at 1:14 pm

    La iluminaciГіn crea un ambiente vibrante.: winchile.pro – winchile.pro

  29. LannyRinly January 31, 2025 at 3:55 pm

    Las mГЎquinas tienen diferentes niveles de apuesta.: winchile casino – win chile

  30. Patrickbeisa January 31, 2025 at 6:09 pm

    Las reservas en lГ­nea son fГЎciles y rГЎpidas.: winchile.pro – win chile

  31. Josephbycle January 31, 2025 at 8:13 pm

    taya777 app taya777.icu Many casinos have beautiful ocean views.

  32. LannyRinly January 31, 2025 at 8:47 pm

    Los casinos son lugares de reuniГіn social.: winchile – winchile.pro

  33. Patrickbeisa January 31, 2025 at 10:53 pm

    Poker rooms host exciting tournaments regularly.: phmacao com – phmacao com

  34. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 1:20 am

    Casino promotions draw in new players frequently.: phtaya casino – phtaya casino

  35. Patrickbeisa February 1, 2025 at 3:33 am

    Casino visits are a popular tourist attraction.: taya777.icu – taya777.icu

  36. Josephbycle February 1, 2025 at 4:18 am

    phmacao com phmacao club Manila is home to many large casinos.

  37. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 5:58 am

    Entertainment shows are common in casinos.: taya365 – taya365 com login

  38. Patrickbeisa February 1, 2025 at 8:13 am

    Gambling can be a social activity here.: taya777 app – taya777 login

  39. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 10:37 am

    La diversiГіn nunca se detiene en los casinos.: jugabet casino – jugabet chile

  40. Josephbycle February 1, 2025 at 12:21 pm

    taya777 login taya777 app Some casinos feature themed gaming areas.

  41. Patrickbeisa February 1, 2025 at 12:59 pm

    Las aplicaciones mГіviles permiten jugar en cualquier lugar.: winchile casino – winchile casino

  42. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 3:19 pm

    п»їCasinos in the Philippines are highly popular.: phtaya – phtaya casino

  43. Patrickbeisa February 1, 2025 at 5:46 pm

    Los pagos son rГЎpidos y seguros.: win chile – win chile

  44. LannyRinly February 1, 2025 at 8:05 pm

    Las ganancias son una gran motivaciГіn.: jugabet – jugabet casino

  45. Josephbycle February 1, 2025 at 8:28 pm

    phmacao casino phmacao casino Casino promotions draw in new players frequently.

  46. Patrickbeisa February 1, 2025 at 10:34 pm

    Los torneos de poker generan gran interГ©s.: winchile.pro – winchile.pro

  47. LannyRinly February 2, 2025 at 12:55 am

    Los casinos reciben turistas de todo el mundo.: winchile – winchile

  48. Patrickbeisa February 2, 2025 at 3:37 am

    Some casinos feature themed gaming areas.: phtaya login – phtaya

  49. Josephbycle February 2, 2025 at 5:26 am

    taya365 com login taya365 login Some casinos feature themed gaming areas.

  50. LannyRinly February 2, 2025 at 6:09 am

    Los jugadores deben jugar con responsabilidad.: winchile – winchile

  51. Patrickbeisa February 2, 2025 at 9:10 am

    The thrill of winning keeps players engaged.: phtaya login – phtaya.tech

  52. LannyRinly February 2, 2025 at 11:06 am

    Many casinos offer luxurious amenities and services.: phtaya – phtaya login

  53. WilliamTraix February 2, 2025 at 2:11 pm

    Many casinos offer luxurious amenities and services. https://phtaya.tech/# Gaming regulations are overseen by PAGCOR.

  54. Patrickbeisa February 2, 2025 at 2:30 pm

    Poker rooms host exciting tournaments regularly.: taya365.art – taya365.art

  55. Josephbycle February 2, 2025 at 3:35 pm

    jugabet jugabet.xyz La variedad de juegos es impresionante.

  56. LannyRinly February 2, 2025 at 3:59 pm

    Los jugadores disfrutan del pГіker en lГ­nea.: winchile casino – winchile.pro

  57. Patrickbeisa February 2, 2025 at 7:48 pm

    Las promociones de fin de semana son populares.: jugabet – jugabet chile

  58. LannyRinly February 2, 2025 at 8:58 pm

    The thrill of winning keeps players engaged.: phmacao club – phmacao com

  59. Patrickbeisa February 3, 2025 at 1:15 am

    Some casinos have luxurious spa facilities.: phtaya.tech – phtaya.tech

  60. Josephbycle February 3, 2025 at 1:36 am

    taya777 taya777 app The Philippines has a vibrant nightlife scene.

  61. LannyRinly February 3, 2025 at 1:59 am

    Players can enjoy high-stakes betting options.: taya777 app – taya777 register login

  62. Patrickbeisa February 3, 2025 at 6:52 am

    Slot tournaments create friendly competitions among players.: taya777 login – taya777 register login

Leave a Reply