- Leicester City is to receive £11,320,853 from the Conservative Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to help level up the community – from regenerating run down high streets to fighting anti-social behaviour.
- The funding also includes 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 deliver on the Conservative 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.
£2.6 billion of levelling up funding will be awarded to communities across the UK through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (‘UKSPF’), the Government has announced.
The UKSPF invests in local communities by helping to regenerate high streets, tackle economic decline, and reverse geographical inequalities – with areas in greater need receiving more support. The funding is part of the Government’s mission to level up the UK, by ensuring that where an individual is born does not determine the success and opportunities afforded to them.
Rupert Matthews, Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester has welcomed the news that as part of this investment, £11,320,853 has been awarded to Leicester City.
This money will be given to locally elected authorities and leaders who best know what their communities need – helping to slash bureaucracy and support communities in seizing new opportunities.
The spending confirms that the Conservative Government has fulfilled its commitment to match previous EU funding on social and regional development.
Commenting, Rupert Matthews said:
“I am incredibly proud of our wonderful and diverse City of Leicester and know that the citizens of Leicester have much to look forwards to. As Police and Crime Commissioner, I know that I have much to do to reduce crime and give our police the tools that they need to do their job. This money will help ensure that everyone from Leicester is able to reach their full potential.
“You won’t catch the Labour Mayor of Leicester admitting that this money is coming from the Conservative Government. He and his acolytes much prefer to complain and moan, but the truth is that Boris Johnson and the Conservative government care about our diverse communities. That is why I welcome the investment of £11,320,853 for Leicester City, which can be used across a range of projects from supporting adults who lack basic numeracy skills, helping young people into good jobs, and regenerating our shopping streets.
“This investment will help to local residents to fulfil their poential, while reducing regional inequalities that have been left untouched for too long”.
Commenting, Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove said:
“We have taken back control of our money from the EU and we are empowering local communities to deliver on their priorities, rather than unelected bureaucrats in Brussels.
“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.”
Photo shows Rupert Matthews at the Green Lane Road shops.
