Government approves local spending plans for UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The government has this week (5 December 2022) approved local spending plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which succeeds EU funding.

Councils in England, Scotland and Wales are planning with local partners to spend the funding on a range of initiatives, such as supporting people into jobs, helping local businesses to grow and tackling anti-social behaviour. In Northern Ireland, DLUHC is managing the Fund and has developed a plan in close collaboration with councils, businesses and the community and voluntary sector.

The funding will be spent on levelling up in three key areas:

• Communities and place: projects could include improving parks and green spaces, sports facilities and access to arts and culture
• Supporting local business: this includes support for entrepreneurs, as well as research and development grants for local businesses to help develop innovative products and services
• People and skills: projects could include specialist support for people with a health condition facing additional barriers into jobs. This may include basic life skills, digital training and education in English and maths

Announcement: www.gov.uk/government/news/government-kickstarts-26-billion-investment-in-communities-as-uk-takes-back-control-of-eu-funding

Guidance: www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-interventions-outputs-and-indicators