• Crawley Borough Council is to receive £1 million and West Sussex County Council is to receive more than £3.6 million from the 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 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.

Henry Smith MP has welcomed the news that as part of this investment, £1 million has been awarded to Crawley Borough Council and £3,689,038 has been awarded to West Sussex County Council.

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 Government has fulfilled its commitment to match previous EU funding on social and regional development.

Henry said;

“I’m incredibly proud of Crawley and we know that our best days lie ahead. I’m determined to work with Government to ensure that everyone from our area is able to reach their full potential.

“This is why I welcome the investment of £1 million for Crawley Borough Council and £3,689,038 for West Sussex County Council, 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 high streets.

“This investment will help local residents to fulfil their potential, while reducing regional inequalities that have been left untouched for too long.”

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, 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.”