The purpose of this report is to enable Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee to consider and approve the allocation of funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) for 2025/26 which has been received by way of grant funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) for the purpose of delivering the UKSPF Programme.

The Director of Regeneration and Place has agreed to approve the allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as set out in paragraph 4.1 of the attached report. 

The Phase 3 Employment and Skills element of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund commences from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. Following the end of the European Social Fund (ESF) in September 2023 and the end of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) gap funding period to 31 March 2024, this provides ringfenced funding for the continuation of the Liverpool City Region Ways to Work Programme, which includes the Wirral Ways to Work programme.

Other Options Considered:

Do Nothing: The Council takes no action and did not continue the Wirral Ways to Work Programme. This option would leave a significant gap in Employment Support Services across the borough and would also impact the delivery of the wider Ways to Work Programme managed by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.