- The Borough of Basingstoke and Deane, and Hart District, are each to receive £1 million from the government through the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund to help level up the community – from regenerating run down high streets to fighting anti-social behaviour.
- A further £5.8 million of funding will be provided to Hampshire County Council, for Multiply - a new United Kingdom-wide programme to equip hundreds of thousands of adults with functional numeracy skills to improve their employment prospects. This could mean free tutoring, digital training and flexible courses to help adults with low-level maths skills get back into work, as well as measures to get more young people into high-skilled jobs.
- The investment will help deliver on the government’s mission to level up the United Kingdom – regenerating communities, tackling economic decline, and reversing geographical inequalities to ensure that everyone can fulfil their potential.
A total of £2.6 billion of levelling up funding will be awarded to communities across the country through the United Kingdom Shared Prosperity Fund (‘UKSPF’), the Government has announced.
The UKSPF allows local communities to invest in local priorities from regenerating high streets, to tackling economic decline, and will help reverse geographical inequalities – with areas in greater need receiving more support, but every place receiving funding. The funding is part of the government’s mission to level up the nation, by ensuring that where an individual is born does not determine the success and opportunities afforded to them.
Ranil Jayawardena MP has welcomed the news that as part of this investment, £2 million has been awarded to the two District Councils in North East Hampshire.
It is now for the local councils to support communities in seizing new opportunities – taking forward the regeneration of our retail centres, cutting crime and providing the local services that people want.
The spending confirms that the government has fulfilled its commitment to match previous EU funding on social and regional development.
Commenting, Ranil Jayawardena MP said:
“North East Hampshire is a great place and know that our best days lie ahead. I am determined to work with the government to make sure that everyone from our area – and every community – is able to reach their full potential.
“That is why I welcome the commitment of £2 million for our District Councils, which can be used to get on with the regeneration of our high streets – so that our retail centres thrive in the years ahead, and homes can be built for first time buyers and downsizers alike whilst protecting greenfield sites.
“The additional £5.8 million will help to local people to learn new skills and fulfil their potential, proving that ‘levelling up’ is about helping every corner of the country.”
Commenting, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove MP said:
“We have taken back control of our money from the EU and we are empowering those who know their communities best to deliver on their priorities.
“The UK Shared Prosperity Fund will help to unleash the creativity and talent of communities that have for too long been overlooked and undervalued.
“By targeting this funding at areas of the country that need it the most, we will help spread opportunity and level up in every part of the United Kingdom.”
