Local MP Alan Mak has welcomed £1 million of new Government funding coming to the Havant Constituency as part of the Government’s new UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
The new Fund replaces money that would have come from the European Union prior to Brexit, and will continually ramp up as EU funding tails off.
Alan Mak MP has campaigned in Westminster for the Havant area to receive a share of the new Fund. The money will be managed by Havant Borough Council who have until August 2022 to draw up an investment plan to say what they will spend their allocation on, and how they will measure success. This Shared Prosperity Fund money comes directly from central government to our local authority in Havant and puts decision-making in local hands, rather than coming from the EU via a range of intermediate agencies.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund allows local communities to invest in local priorities from regenerating high streets to tackling economic decline, and will help reverse geographical inequalities. The funding is part of the Government’s mission to level up the UK, by ensuring that where an individual is born does not determine the success and opportunities afforded to them.
In England, funding matches in real terms what was spent before in each Local Enterprise Partnership area, which avoids big changes in funding that could prevent valued ongoing projects and programmes from continuing. To determine how much each local authority within that LEP area gets, a formula is used. 70% will be based on a per head amount, and 30% on the Community Renewal index, which includes factors like unemployment, income, skills and productivity.
Local MP Alan Mak said: “I’ve been campaigning in Westminster to ensure the Havant area gets money from the Government’s new Shared Prosperity Fund, which replaces EU funds. I’m delighted £1million will be going to Havant Borough Council for them to invest in local people, skills and regeneration. Through Brexit we took back control of our money, and it’s great news that Havant is getting a share of this new UK fund designed to help local communities in a practical and tangible way.”
In addition to the £1m for the Havant area from the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund, Hampshire Council County has also been awarded £5.7million to fund adult numeracy courses between now and 2025 through the Government’s new “Multiply” scheme which will also benefit Havant Constituency residents.
Multiply will offer adults who do not already have a GCSE grade C/4 or higher in Maths or equivalent, and need to improve their numeracy, free flexible courses that fit around their lives. Courses are expected to be available from this autumn in person or online, at work or at home, and either on a part time or intensive basis. Employers who could benefit from boosting their workforce’s skills will be able to work with Havant Brough Council and training providers to deliver Maths GCSEs or work-ready Functional Skills Qualifications as well as design and deliver bespoke programmes for their workforce – at no cost to them.
