To ask the Minister of Finance how he will ensure that the Disability Employment sector is recognised as a priority for Shared Prosperity Funds, in the absence of European Social Funds.

The SPF (Shared Prosperity Fund) is the British Government’s replacement for the European Social Fund (ESF). The SPF is being administered by Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) and the British Government have, to date, not provided a suitable role for Executive Departments which respects our Devolved Status.

I have raised issues and discussed this fund at length with British Ministers, most recently with the SoS Levelling Up Housing and Communities. I have urged the British Government to reconsider both the allocations to this fund and how it will operate here as it will deliver too little money, risks duplication of provision and it lacks alignment to our local priorities.

I will continue to press this issue with the British Government and I remain committed to ensuring that we receive as much funding as possible and will not stand in the way of any funding flowing to the North.

However, in the absence of a decision making role in this fund I have no way to ensure that the British Government will treat the Disability Employment Sector as a priority for their fund.