Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund

Welsh Affairs Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 11 Feb 2020 Closed: 14 Dec 2020 Parliament page
The Welsh Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into the proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The fund is earmarked to replace European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI) that puts £375 million into the Welsh economy each year. Read the key points in an interactive summary of our report
13 Recommendations
7 Conclusions
1 Report
4 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 7 events
25 Jan
2021
Correspondence
25 Jan
2021
Correspondence
14 Dec
2020
Report published
2 Oct
2020
Report published
23 Jun
2020
Correspondence
11 Jun
2020
Correspondence
10 Mar
2020
Formal meeting · The Wilson Room, Portcullis House
Title HC No. Published Items Response
4th Report: Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund: Priorities fo… HC 90 2 Oct 2020 20 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
9 results
Clear
4 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
The development of the Shared Prosperity Fund represents a unique opportunity to re-evaluate Wales’ economic...
The development of the Shared Prosperity Fund represents a unique opportunity to re-evaluate Wales’ economic priorities in light of the economic fallout from the pandemic, to develop a funding system that better reflects Welsh needs, and which includes a broader … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating the UKSPF will invest in people, communities, and local businesses to level up and create opportunity, focusing on improved employment outcomes, driving productivity, and addressing skills shortages in Wales, and provides £220m additional funding for 2021-22.
Wales Office
View details
5 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
We recommend that the UK and Welsh Governments use the development of the Shared Prosperity...
We recommend that the UK and Welsh Governments use the development of the Shared Prosperity Fund as an opportunity to jointly reassess their economic development priorities, particularly in light of the economic damage caused by COVID-19. In designing the Shared … Read more
Government Response
The government will provide £220m in 2021-22 for local areas to pilot programmes and new approaches, and the longer-term SPF will invest in people, communities, and business to improve employment, productivity, and address skills shortages in Wales.
Wales Office
View details
7 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
In the current changing economic circumstances, we are unable to recommend a headline figure for...
In the current changing economic circumstances, we are unable to recommend a headline figure for Wales’ allocation of the Shared Prosperity Fund. However, we call on the Government to honour its commitment to maintain at least the current levels of … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to matching current EU receipts with UK-wide funding averaging £1.5 billion annually, ensures multi-year funding for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and intends to work with the Welsh Government. Further details will be provided in a UK-wide investment framework in the spring and funding profile at the next Spending Review.
Wales Office
View details
11 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
There are differences of opinion as to where the precise balance of power and responsibility...
There are differences of opinion as to where the precise balance of power and responsibility should lie for the oversight and administration of the Shared Prosperity Fund. However, whether the UK Government takes on a commissioning role for, or fully … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating its intention to work with the Welsh Government, local communities, local authorities, and Devolved Administrations to ensure the UKSPF supports citizens in Wales, with further details on funding and framework to be published in the New Year and spring.
Wales Office
View details
13 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
Local authorities have played an important role in the delivery of ESI funding with their...
Local authorities have played an important role in the delivery of ESI funding with their on-the-ground knowledge and expertise and the UK and Welsh Governments should seek to ensure that the Shared Prosperity Fund utilises their experience. While the full … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines how the UKSPF will enable local places to shape investment and complement City and Growth Deals, confirming that officials have discussed lessons learned from these deals with devolved administrations and local authorities.
Wales Office
View details
14 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding that should underpin the Shared Prosperity Fund, the...
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding that should underpin the Shared Prosperity Fund, the UK and Welsh Governments ought to give serious consideration to the role that local government in the delivery of the Fund. Both the UK and … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the UKSPF will enable local places to shape investment and complement City and Growth Deal funding, confirming that officials have discussed lessons learned from these deals with devolved administrations and local authorities.
Wales Office
View details
15 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
For the past twenty years, Wales has received more European Structural Funds than any other...
For the past twenty years, Wales has received more European Structural Funds than any other part of the UK in an attempt to bring the Welsh economy up to the EU average. This funding which is worth hundreds of millions … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the pandemic's impact and details its plans to provide £220m in additional funding for 2021-22 for local areas to transition from EU structural funds, with the long-term UKSPF investing in people, communities, and businesses to level up.
Wales Office
View details
18 Recommendation Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
The switch to the Shared Prosperity Fund is an opportunity to reset and re-evaluate Wales’...
The switch to the Shared Prosperity Fund is an opportunity to reset and re-evaluate Wales’ economic priorities post-Brexit and post-COVID-19 and to develop a Shared Prosperity Fund that tackles the root causes of Wales’ economic underperformance. The funding pot should … Read more
Government Response
The government commits to ramping up UKSPF investment to at least match current EU receipts, with a portion targeting places most in need, and confirms the fund will operate multi-annually, with its funding profile to be set at the next Spending Review.
Wales Office
View details
20 Conclusion Accepted
4th Report: Wales and the Shared …
The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic makes...
The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic makes this an exceptional time, and opportunity, for the governments of the UK to design a more responsive and adaptable system of structural and regional funding. … Read more
Government Response
The government outlines its plans for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) to succeed EU structural funds, aiming to level up and create opportunity across the UK through investments in businesses, people, and communities, working with Devolved Administrations.
Wales Office
View details
Government Response AI assessment · 20 of 13 classified
Accepted 9
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 7
Not Addressed 1
Total 13 recs + 7 conclusions
Correspondence 4 letters
25 Jan 2021 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Wales, re UK Shared Prosperity Fund, 22 January 21
Parliament page
25 Jan 2021 To committee Letter from the Counsel General and Minister for European Transition, Welsh Government, re Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund, 11 January 21
Parliament page
23 Jun 2020 To committee Letter from the Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government in response to joint letter from Select Committee Chairs re the Shared Prosperity Fund, 19 June 20
Parliament page
11 Jun 2020 To committee Joint letter from Select Committee Chairs to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government re the Shared Prosperity Fund, 5 June 20
Parliament page