For the first time in 40 years, we will invest our own money in our own priorities.
The Government published its response to the Work and Pensions Select Committee report on European Social Fund (ESF) in June 2018.
The Work and Pensions Select Committee’s report flagged Brexit as an opportunity to ‘design a truly world-leading successor’ to the ESF, which invests in the long-term unemployed, disadvantaged young people, offenders, people with disabilities and low-skilled workers.
In its response, the Government states that it intends to replace the ESF with a UK Shared Prosperity Fund post-Brexit.
This will work to narrow disparities in skills and employment between communities and remove barriers faced by under-represented groups to realise their potential.
The Government also says it will open an inquiry on the funding later in the year.
