The future of the European Social Fund inquiry - transcript from meeting on Feb 28

The European Social Fund currently provides £500 million worth of funding per year for employment support programmes for people who struggle to access and benefit from mainstream support.  This includes disabled people, ex-offenders, and the long-term unemployed. 

The future of ESF-type funding after Brexit is currently uncertain. Leaving the European Union could offer the UK an opportunity to design its own, improved version of the funding. The Committee is considering the case for a successor fund to the ESF, and what this fund might look like.

Evidence given by Steve Hawkins, Chief Executive Officer, Pluss, Richard Clifton, Integrated Services Director, Shaw Trust, Graham Parry, Director of Youth, Employment and Skills, Groundwork London, Brian Bell, Managing Director, Working LinksSandra Rothwell, Chief Executive, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, Stella Manzie CBE, Chief Executive, Birmingham City Council, Lloyd Broad, Head of European Affairs, Birmingham City CouncilSam Windett, Head of Policy, Employment Related Services Association, Elizabeth Chamberlain, Head of Policy, National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Kayleigh Wainwright, Head of Membership and Policy, UK Youth

The uncorrected transcript is attached to this email.