Devolved administrations to be involved in UK Shared Prosperity Fund decision-making

The UK Government has today confirmed that Scotland and the other Devolved Administrations will have a place within the governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Scheduled to be launched in April 2022, the post-Brexit UKSPF will replace EU ‘structural funds’.

The assertion was made in the Government response to the Scottish Affairs Committee’s report on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Scotland. It comes ahead of the today’s Spending Review where more detail is expected on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Within the response, Scotland Office ministers explain that £14 million has been allocated to support local places to prepare for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and details on eligibility funding will be announced in the coming months.

In its report, the Scottish Affairs Committee raised concern that there appeared to be a lack of consultation on the design of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. In response, the UK Government explained that it has been engaging with stakeholders, including by holding engagement events across the UK.

Scottish Affairs Committee Chair, Pete Wishart MP, said: “For the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to benefit people throughout the UK, it is critical that our devolved governments have a seat at the table where decisions are made. It is therefore very welcome that the Scottish Government will be represented. However, the devil will be in the detail and the UK Government needs to be forthcoming on how the devolved administrations will be engaged.

“The UKSPF is expected to start from next year and yet we still don’t know how much funding will be available. The UK Government must today clarify how much funding will be available each year for the UK and for Scotland for the first five years of the UKSPF.”