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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, for what reasons the consultation on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has been delayed; and what the new timetable is for its commencement.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is the Government’s manifesto commitment to reduce inequalities between communities across our four nations by raising productivity, once we have left the EU.

The Government recognises the importance of reassuring local areas on the future of local growth funding once we have left the EU and providing clarity on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The Government has over the past year, held 25 stakeholder engagement events across the UK with representatives from a breadth of sectors, in order to aid policy development. The consultation will build upon these conversations.

The Government has now reached agreement with the EU on an extension until 31 October at the latest, with the option to leave earlier as soon as a deal has been ratified. We believe that leaving with a deal is the best outcome and remain focused on ensuring our smooth and orderly withdrawal from the EU. It is right, however, that we also continue to prepare for all scenarios. Therefore, the Government continues to review our approach to consulting on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund accordingly.

Government has been working closely with interested parties across the UK whilst developing the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and will consult widely.