Council Depute Leader calls for clarity on UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Responding to the recent media reports which stated that the Chief Secretary to the Treasury had written to the Scottish Government to indicate that the UK Government intended that the Shared Prosperity Fund which will replace European structural funds could be routed through local authorities.

Cllr Alasdair Christie, Deputy Leader of the Council said:

“We urgently need clarity on how the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is going to operate, who is operating it and when the money will start to flow. If ever there was a time when these funds were needed, it is now.

"European structural funds made a huge contribution to improving the wellbeing of our communities right across the Highlands and these replacement funds need to do the same. 

"These European funds have had a transformational effect across our area and have made significant contributions to improving our infrastructure as well as broader community benefits, through reducing poverty, helping people into jobs and promoting social inclusion. We would expect no less in terms of focus, scope and ambition from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

"We are also calling for a firm commitment that there will be no reduction in the amount of money allocated to Highland from this new fund."