4th Report: Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund: Priorities for the replacement of EU structural funding

Select Committee
Welsh Affairs Committee HC 90 2 October 2020
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 20 items (13 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 20 of 20 classified)
Accepted 9
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 7
Not Addressed 1
Government response
4th Special Report: Wales and the Shared Prosperity Fund: Priorities for the replacement of EU structural funding: Government response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 14 Dec 2020
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Recommendations & Conclusions

9 results
4 Recommendation Accepted
The development of the Shared Prosperity Fund represents a unique opportunity to re-evaluate Wales’ economic...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
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5 Recommendation Accepted
Para 46
We recommend that the UK and Welsh Governments use the development of the Shared Prosperity...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
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7 Recommendation Accepted
Para 60
In the current changing economic circumstances, we are unable to recommend a headline figure for...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
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11 Recommendation Accepted
Para 74
There are differences of opinion as to where the precise balance of power and responsibility...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
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13 Recommendation Accepted
Para 81
Local authorities have played an important role in the delivery of ESI funding with their...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
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14 Recommendation Accepted
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding that should underpin the Shared Prosperity Fund, the...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
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15 Conclusion Accepted
Para 83
For the past twenty years, Wales has received more European Structural Funds than any other...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
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18 Recommendation Accepted
Para 86
The switch to the Shared Prosperity Fund is an opportunity to reset and re-evaluate Wales’...
Recommendation
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 Summary
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
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20 Conclusion Accepted
The UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic makes...
Conclusion
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 Summary
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
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