Highland Council Leader raises concerns about lack of detail on UK Shared Prosperity Fund

The Leader of Highland Council Margaret Davidson today raised concerns about the lack of detail on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund contained in this week's Spending Review.

She said: "I am disappointed that substantive information around the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, intended to replace existing EU Funding Programmes, has been delayed again and we will have to wait until Spring to hear the real detail around this.

"European Funding has had a transformative impact across the Highland region for many years and we would expect the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to build on this. With us coming towards the end of current European funded programmes it is important that we get the new fund in place as soon as possible.”

Cllr Jimmy Gray, Chair of the Highland Council Working Group also looked for some clarity on the Spending Review announcement. He said

“There are still a number of unanswered questions but I would urge the UK Government work collaboratively with the Scottish Government in relation to the future of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and to take on board the recently published proposals on post EU Funding which was as a result of a Scotland wide consultation.

"I would have expected to know more detail by now on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund but this delay may present an opportunity for both Governments to focus on local and regional needs. We are still drawing down EU Funding in the current programmes and it is important that good relations continue to be maintained with our EU partners.”

Spending Review 2020 document can be found here