Hull groups receive £1.1m through Govt’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund

By Simon Bristow

Grants totalling £1.1m have been distributed to a range of organisations in Hull through the first round of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Hull City Council said 29 projects had received funding ranging from £4,000 to £100,000.

The recipients include local businesses, social enterprises, voluntary and community sector groups, and the public sector, giving access to training, volunteering, improved community facilities and increased access to arts, festivals, and cultural activities.

The council invited groups to apply last autumn and received numerous applications for round one of the grants. Delivery of the schemes began earlier this year and are due to be completed by March 31.

Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, city council portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “I am very happy that we can support these local projects with grants from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

“It’s good to know that these projects are now in a position to come to fruition thanks to the council’s support, and I look forward to seeing the final outcomes.”

The UKSPF is a key part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda.

Its funding aims to promote high quality skills training, supporting pay, employment and productivity growth, and increasing life chances.

It supports the delivery of economic improvements in Hull aligned to the government’s Levelling Up Programme, which has three main priorities: communities and place, supporting local business and people and skills.

Round two of the UKSPF sees a further £5m being made available for use between April 2023 and March 2025.