PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Devolved governments and the Shared Prosperity Fund (21 September 2021)

That this House notes that nine months on from the ending of the transition period, the UK Government has yet to publish detail on the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF); further notes that no steadfast guarantees have been given that each region will receive equivalent funding to what they received under EU structural funds; notes that there has been little meaningful consultation with the devolved regions in relation to the design and governance of the fund, the scope of which will impinge on devolved competencies, potentially duplicating work already being undertaken, as well as bypassing the expertise of those best placed to ensure local delivery of funds; further notes that the delay in introducing the SPF has caused undue hardship and uncertainty for organisations already suffering greatly as a result of the covid-19 outbreak, many of which have also simultaneously experienced an increase in demand for their services; notes the lack of clarity from the Government on how it intends to show compliance and regard to Section 75 duties in Northern Ireland as well as showing how it will complement funding delivered via the PEACE PLUS programme; and calls on the Government to immediately without further delay disclose full details of the SPF and outline how it will ensure that devolved governments will have an equal voice and role in the SPF moving forward.

Sponsored by:
Claire Hanna (Social Democratic & Labour Party)