Communities across Scotland will benefit from £212 million of
investment in skills, improved high streets, support for local
business and more green spaces as the UK takes back control and
approves spending plans for funding previously run by the
European Union.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund succeeds EU structural funding but
instead of Brussels deciding how and where the money is spent,
the UK Government has been working closely with local leaders in
Scotland to direct funding where it is most needed.
Under the investment plans approved today, Scotland is receiving
at least as much funding as it did before, with projects now free
from bureaucratic EU processes and local people having a greater
say in how the money is used.
Councils across Scotland have drawn up plans over the summer
which include supporting local arts projects, improved sports
facilities, export grants for Scottish companies and helping
people with core skills such as maths.
The UK Government’s approval of these plans will kickstart
delivery across all parts of the country.
Levelling Up Minister said:
I am thrilled that all Scottish plans have been approved and I
would like to thank the Scottish Government for their engagement
on this vital work.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will deliver real benefits for
every corner of the country. We look forward to working with
Scottish councils to deliver the things that their local
communities truly want and need.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said:
This is great news for communities across Scotland who will now
see £212 million invested to strengthen businesses, create jobs
and make lives better. The UK Government is delivering on its
commitments that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund will at least
match EU structural funding - and giving local people control of
how the money is spent.
Such close working with councils, local partners and the Scottish
Government is crucial to overcoming the economic headwinds we are
being buffeted by. This collaboration builds on the hugely
successful approach established in delivering city-region and
growth deals across Scotland. Our levelling up agenda is now
seeing more than £2 billion directly invested in Scotland by the
UK Government.
Across the UK, the money 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 to foster a greater sense of pride in place.
-
Supporting local business: this include 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 decent jobs. This may include basic life skills, digital
training and education in English and maths. As part of the
Fund, a multi-million pound adult numeracy programme,
Multiply, has been allocated across the UK to support people
with no or low-level maths skills to 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 to 2025.
Funding for the UKSPF will be £2.6 billion between 2022 and 2025,
with this figure reaching £1.5 billion per year by March 2025,
delivering on the UK Government’s commitment to match EU
structural funds for each nation.
Notes to editors:
Local areas across England will see £1.58 billion, Scotland £212
million, Wales £585 million and Northern Ireland £127 million
made available under the Fund.
Scottish Councils have worked with a wide set of local partners
to deliver the Investment Plans for communities. A list of agreed
interventions for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland,
for each of the three UKSPF investment priorities.
