Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 43
43
Paragraph: 118
Funding for the education and skills and employability strands of the new UK Shared Prosperity...
Conclusion
Funding for the education and skills and employability strands of the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund must at least match those of their predecessor funds, and no region A plan for an adult skills and lifelong learning revolution 53 should be worse off. Government must involve local and combined authorities on the design of the UKSPF. Funding must be devolved to combined authorities who are best placed to make decisions about how to allocate funding in the most effective way for their communities.
Paragraph Reference:
118
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
109. Following EU exit, the Government has committed to replacing European Structural Funds via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). To help local areas prepare over 2021– 22 for the introduction of the UKSPF, the government will provide an additional £220m for UK-wide funding to support communities to pilot programmes and new approaches. 110. The Government has set out in the Heads and Terms of the UKSPF that UK-wide UKSPF funding will at least match current EU receipts, on average reaching around £1.5 billion a year. This includes a portion of the fund with bespoke employment and skills programmes that are tailored to local need. These will support improved employment and skills outcomes for those in and out of work in specific cohorts of people who face labour market barriers. 111. We are working closely with colleagues across other government departments including the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Department for Work and Pensions to establish the UKSPF. 112. The new powers in the UK Internal Market Act 2020 will enable the UK Government to invest in our communities across the UK in a variety of possible ways across all four nations. This includes delivering a UKSPF which allows the UK Government to invest directly in communities across our four nations. 113. Additionally, the Government has made clear at every opportunity that it intends to continue to work in partnership with the devolved administrations and local communities. This will make sure that this new power is used to best effect. We have demonstrated this commitment by confirming that the devolved administrations will have a place within the governance structures for the Fund. 114. Further detail will be set out with the publication of an investment framework in the spring.