Betts urges progress on EU structural funds replacement scheme

Housing, communities and local government committee chair Clive Betts has urged the government to get on with its consultation on funding to replace EU structural funds. In a letter to communities secretary Sajid Javid, Betts said that city council leaders questioned by his committee had voiced concerns about a lack of clarity on the government’s proposed UK Shared Prosperity Fund. He said: “I note that the Government has committed to consulting on the detailed design of the fund this year, however it remains unclear when this consultation will occur.
“Given we are now one year away from the UK leaving the EU, and to ensure the vital certainty that local government needs, I would urge you to ensure that this consultation is conducted as soon as possible.
“It will clearly be a highly technical and complex task to design and administer such a fund, and adequate time must be given to ensure this is done right.”