The Lead Authorities for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund across the North East region are beginning to ramp up activity relating to the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF). The information below provides a summary of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and recent updates and links to live calls and further information from each of the Lead Authorities.
What is UKSPF?
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK-SPF) is a central pillar of the UK Government’s ambitious Levelling Up agenda and a significant component of its support for places across the UK. All areas of the UK receive an allocation from the Fund via a funding formula rather than a competition. It will help places right across the country deliver enhanced outcomes and recognises that even the most affluent parts of the UK contain pockets of deprivation and need support. In August, Lead Authorities from across the region were required to submit their Investment Plans to Government and in October, these plans were approved. The Investment Plans set out to Government how the lead authorities would like to invest their allocation of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UK-SPF) for the three years of 2022-2025. The Investment Plans need to be based on evidence of local priorities and need and Government guidance also outlined a requirement to consult widely on the plans, and to ensure that they complement and not duplicate existing local and national funding and activities.
In September 2022, the Rural England Prosperity Fund was launched and specific allocations for this were awarded to lead authorities - in our area this funding is targeted in Northumberland, Durham and Redcar & Cleveland.
UKSPF forms part of a suite of complementary levelling up funding. It must complement and not duplicate other resources e.g. Adult Education Budget, European Structural Investment Funds (remaining delivery) Levelling Up Fund, Town Deals, Future High Street Fund, Community Renewal etc.
For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus
Programme Updates
On the 23rd March the Government removed the restriction on people and skills spending from April 2023. This will enable lead local authorities to allocate UKSPF funding to any people and skills intervention to an individual, partnership or any delivery partner, during the second and third year of the Fund. Previously, this flexibility was not available in England until April 2024.
We have yet to hear about any changes to current plans from NE lead authorities in light of this restriction being lifted but will share if/when we do.
Tees Valley Combined Authority
The Tees Valley Combined Authority have published summary information on their Investment Plan for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and a Forward Plan relating to themes, commissioning models and timeframes. They have established a UK-SPF Partnership Groups which will support them to further develop their plans, oversee programme management and advise on strategy and delivery of the funding. In the Tees Valley Jon Carling from Catalyst Stockton is representing the VCSE sector on this group.
You can find out more about the Tees Valley UK Shared Prosperity Fund here: UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) - Business (teesvalley-ca.gov.uk)
Recent and open calls - UKSPF Funding Opportunities - Business (teesvalley-ca.gov.uk)
People & Skills: UKSPF Funding Opportunities - Business (teesvalley-ca.gov.uk) Closing 28th April 2023
Support to Local Business: UKSPF Funding Opportunities - Business (teesvalley-ca.gov.uk) Closing 28th April 2023
UK SPF enquiries email: ukspfenquiries@teesvalley-ca.gov.uk
North of Tyne Combined Authority
The North of Tyne Combined Authority have published further information on their plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund ( See 'UK SPF is now underway' section of UK Shared Prosperity Fund - UKSPF - NTCA (northoftyne-ca.gov.uk).
Each thematic area has it's own summary information page which contains a forward plan of future calls and activities:
People & Skills UKSPF - PEOPLE AND SKILLS - NTCA (northoftyne-ca.gov.uk)
Community & Place UKSPF - Communities and Place - NTCA (northoftyne-ca.gov.uk)
Support for Local Business UKSPF - SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESS - NTCA (northoftyne-ca.gov.uk)
NTCA have established a UK-SPF Partnership Groups which will support them to further develop their plans, oversee programme management and advise on strategy and delivery of the funding. Carol Botten CEO of VONNE is representing the VCSE sector on this group.
You can find out more about the North of Tyne UK Shared Prosperity Fund here: UK Shared Prosperity Fund - UKSPF - NTCA (northoftyne-ca.gov.uk)
UK SPF enquiries email: ukspf@northoftyne-ca.gov.uk
Recent and open calls
All details can be found here: UKSPF Funding Opportunities and Calls for Proposals - NTCA (northoftyne-ca.gov.uk)
Durham
Updates are provided here: About the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in County Durham - Durham County Council
An overview of UKSPF Investment Plan for County Durham: UK Shared Prosperity Fund (U K S P F) in County Durham (PDF, 148.8kb)
Recent and open calls - funding information and calls are published here: Call for projects (The UK Shared Prosperity Fund) - Durham County Council No live calls currently
UK SPF enquiries email: ukspf@durham.gov.uk
Sunderland
Updates and information on calls are provided here: UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in Sunderland - Sunderland City Council
Recent and open calls Call for People & Skills now live: UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in Sunderland - Sunderland City Council Closes on the 2nd June.
UK SPF enquiries email: ukspf@sunderland.gov.uk
South Tyneside
Updates and information on calls are provided here: http://UK Shared Prosperity Funds (UKSPF) - South Tyneside Council No calls live currently
Recent announcement on 8 funded projects across Investment Priorities can be found here: South Tyneside Organisations to Benefit from Multi-Million Fund - South Tyneside Council
UK SPF enquiries email: funding@southtyneside.gov.uk
Gateshead
Updates and information on calls are provided here: https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/20778/UK-Shared-Prosperity-Fund No live calls currently
Organisations can register to join a mailing list to receive further information via UK SPF enquiries email: UKSPF@gateshead.gov.uk