Context
The local growth fund is set to replace the UK shared prosperity fund. There are concerns about how the funding will be allocated between capital and revenue, especially regarding its impact on youth and community work.
Question
What plans does he have for the delivery of the local growth fund in Northern Ireland? I thank the Minister for meeting me to discuss the concerns raised by the voluntary community sector in Northern Ireland about how the fund will be split between capital and revenue. We are now looking at a fund that is more capital-heavy than revenue-heavy, and the Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People has said that the shift towards capital-heavy investment fails to recognise the reality that youth and community work is relational, intensive and people-driven, not infrastructure-driven.
Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh
I thank the hon. Gentleman for meeting me with people from parts of the voluntary sector. As he said, local growth funding will direct capital funding into the enabling infrastructure that is required for boosting the Northern Ireland economy. That sits alongside a £19.3 billion spending review settlement and £370 million in Budget funding to the Executive, which has the flexibility to support programmes delivered by the voluntary and community sector.
Not addressed: The specific ask about shifting the balance between capital and revenue was not directly addressed.
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