13
Accepted in Part
The Government should urgently reverse the capital-revenue split of the new Local Growth Fund in...
Recommendation
The Government should urgently reverse the capital-revenue split of the new Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland. Failing this, the NIO should work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, HM Treasury and the NI Executive urgently to identify alternative and comparable sums of money for economic inactivity programming, such as through PEACEPLUS, and ensure the application process is expedited and streamlined. (Recommendation, Paragraph 73) 31
Government Response Summary
The government rejected the recommendation to reverse the capital-revenue split of the Local Growth Fund. However, they have taken action to identify alternative funding, including PEACEPLUS, and engaged with stakeholders to provide information and arrange sessions to expedite and streamline the application process for economic inactivity programming.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
As I set out in my appearance on the 4th March, the split will not change. However, in acknowledgement of the concerns surrounding the levels of resource funding, I also set out the work that we have done with the NIO, MHCLG and the Northern Ireland Department of Finance to support organisations. This was the agreement that the £11.8 million RDEL element of the Local Growth Fund in 2026/27 will be split between economic inactivity provision and Go Succeed, in the same proportion to funding received in 2025/26 under UKSPF. I can confirm that the delivery of the economic inactivity element began on 1 April. I also set out during my appearance the engagement we had already planned with representatives of the community and voluntary sector and the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) to discuss the implementation of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland. This meeting took place in person in London on the 5th March. My letter to the Committee on the 9th April set out the options we discussed for further support, this included available PEACEPLUS funding from the Change Maker Funding Programme and the Investment Area 1.2 (Empowering Communities). The SEUPB provided community and voluntary representatives with further information on the application process and answers to any queries they had on the delivery of the programme as a whole. Following our meeting we worked with NICVA and the SEUPB to arrange specific information sessions for organisations to understand the available funding and how to apply for bids. We continue to communicate closely with the SEUPB on the outcome of organisation’s bids, and will continue to work with them on any future available funding.
Source
Committee
Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
Report
4th Report – Economic growth in Northern Ireland: new and emerging sectors
23 Mar 2026
HC 1193
Addressee Bodies
Northern Ireland Executive
Northern Ireland Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
0.4 yrs
Report published
23 Mar 2026