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Written question asked by Sammy Wilson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Friday, 27 February 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. It was answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh (Labour) on Friday, 13 March 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

UK Shared Prosperity Fund: Northern Ireland

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what are the outcomes of the UK shared Prosperity Fund programme in Northern Ireland including (a) the total number of participants engaged across the region; (b) the number and percentage of participants who achieved sustainable employment and the methodology used to measure this; (c) the number of percentage of participants who entered further or higher education; (d) he number of participants who entered volunteering roles; and (e) how many women achieved each of the above outcomes.

Answer

Up to September 2025, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in Northern Ireland has supported around 36,000 people. Of these, 12% have sustained work for at least six months, 27% undertook education activity and 7% participated in volunteering opportunities. Definitions for these indicators are published here: UKSPF_Indicators_25-26_.xlsx. For those declaring gender, 52% were female.

The UKSPF allocated funding for economic inactivity projects by competition. Provision was available in all parts of Northern Ireland. Where any area was under-served, we have encouraged deliverers to broaden their geographic reach.

My Department are working in close partnership with the Northern Ireland Office and Northern Ireland Executive to design and deliver the new Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland, with more information to follow.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
116461
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Northern Ireland UK Shared Prosperity Fund
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk