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UKSPF matches and succeeds old EU funding, cutting bureaucracy and allowing local leaders to invest in what their communities really want and need.
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All plans submitted by Scottish local authorities have now been approved by the UK Government
Communities across Scotland will benefit from a £212 million investment in skills, improved high streets, support for local business and more green space as the UK takes back control and approves spending plans for funding previously run by the European Union.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund succeeds the EU structural fund but Brussels decides how and where the money is spent, with the UK government working closely with local leaders in Scotland to direct the funds to where it is most needed.
Under investment plans approved today, Scotland is receiving at least as much funding as it was before, projects are now free from bureaucratic EU processes and local people have more say in how the money is used.
Councils across Scotland have drawn up plans over the summer which include supporting local arts projects, improving sports facilities, export grants for Scottish companies and helping people with key skills such as maths.
UK government’s approval of these plans will start delivery to all parts of the country.
Leveling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said:
I am delighted that all Scottish plans have been approved and I thank the Scottish Government for their engagement on this important work.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will deliver real benefits to every corner of the country. We look forward to working with Scottish Councils to deliver what their local communities really want and need.
Malcolm Offord, UK Government Minister for Scotland, said:
This is great news for communities across Scotland who will now see £212 million of investment to strengthen businesses, create jobs and make lives better. The UK Government is meeting its commitments that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will at least match EU structural funding – and give local people control over how the money is spent.
Working so closely with councils, local partners and the Scottish Government is crucial to overcoming the economic headwinds we are suffering. The collaboration builds on a highly successful approach established across Scotland to deliver city-region and growth deals. Our Leveling Agenda is now seeing more than £2 billion of UK Government direct investment in Scotland.
Across the UK, the money will be spent strategizing across three main areas:
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Communities and place: Projects include access to parks and green spaces, sports facilities and arts and culture to promote a greater sense of pride in place.
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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.
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People and skills: Projects may include specialist support for people with health conditions who face additional barriers to suitable jobs. This may include education in basic life skills, digital training and English and maths. As part of the fund, a multi-million pound adult numeracy programme, Multiply, has been allocated across the UK to help people with no or low-level maths skills improve their economic and life prospects.
The UK Government’s flexible approach also means that councils and local partners will have the opportunity to adapt each plan to reflect new economic priorities over the period up to 2025.
Funding for the UKSPF will be £2.6 billion between 2022 and 2025, with the figure rising to £1.5 billion per year by March 2025, meeting the UK Government’s commitment to match EU structural funding for each nation.
Notes to editors:
Local areas across England will receive £1.58 billion, Scotland £212 million, Wales £585 million and Northern Ireland £127 million under the fund.
Scottish councils have worked with a wide range of local partners to deliver investment plans for communities. A list of agreed interventions for each of the three UKSPF investment priorities for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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