The extension of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which provides grants for local businesses has been hailed as ‘fantastic news’.
South Holland District Council’s portfolio holder for finance Paul Redgate had called on the new government to continue the scheme. It has been extended into 2025/26.
The South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, of which South Holland District Council is a member, released a statement welcoming the news.
“This is obviously fantastic news for the ongoing development of community projects, support for local businesses and impactful skills and employment projects,” it states. “While we don’t yet know how the new UKSPF programme will look, we do know that this existing programme has already been transformational for our area and has already delivered many successful initiatives.
“Our areas have already exceeded their Investment plan targets in a number of key areas, with particular strengths being growth advice and support given by Advice4Growth/Grants4Growth and the nearly £3million given across the Partnership in small grants to community facilities through the Lincolnshire Community Foundation GRASSroots scheme.
“We hope that the second programme will have a very similar impact.
“We urge all projects who are interested in applying for the new funding to keep an eye out for updates and details of the new programme, which will be released in due course, as they become available.
“We look forward to what this next version of UKSPF will do for all of our people, community projects and businesses.”
