Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what discussions his Department has had with (a) the Wales Office and (b) the Welsh Government on the level of funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund in Wales that the Shared Prosperity Fund is intended to replace.

As we committed to in the written ministerial statement of 24 July 2018 (HCWS927), we have begun engagement with devolved administrations, including the Welsh Government, ahead of the public consultation, intended for later this year. This engagement began in September 2018 when HM Government officials held initial meetings with their counterparts in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Wider engagement with external stakeholders across the UK is ongoing.

We intend to consult on the design of the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) later this year and encourage all interested parties to contribute their views. Final decisions on the detail and operation of the UKSPF will be made following the Spending Review in 2019.

In the meantime, we understand places around the UK require certainty of funding after we leave the European Union. We are confident that a negotiated agreement will be reached and that we will continue to take part in the 2014-2020 EU programmes until they end. At the same time, all Brexit scenarios are being planned for, including a no-deal.

The Government’s announcement to extend the guarantee for the full EU 2014-20 programme period and allocation, provides certainty and clarity in the event of a no-deal and allows for a smooth transition to a domestic replacement.