Agenda item

This report sought Cabinet approval to accept £1,007,516 in UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF) from the Greater London Authority (GLA) for a period extending to March 2026. The funding was allocated as £672,739 in capital and £334,777 in revenue.

The UKSPF funding was intended to support the priorities of the London Growth Plan, aiming to enhance pride in place and improve life chances across the UK. At the Haringey level, it focused on investing in communities and place, supporting local businesses, and developing people and skills.

In Haringey, the proportion of the population inactive in the labour market was higher than the London average. Haringey Works had a strong track record of supporting job seekers in securing good, well-paid employment. With over 13,000 businesses in the borough, the UKSPF funding was allocated to provide tailored support to local enterprises.

The Cabinet Member RESOLVED:

Recommendations

It is recommended that Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy; approve acceptance of £1,007,516 UKSPF for 2025/26 from the GLA to deliver projects that align with Shaping Tottenham, Shaping Wood Green and Opportunity Haringey Priorities. This is in accordance with Contract Standing Order 21.

- Where the Council receives a grant from an external body, the process for approving or varying the agreement for the grant shall be the same as that set out in CSO 2 (i.e. the Director may approve receipt of a grant valued at less than £500,000. For approval of receipt of grants valued at £500,000 or more, a Cabinet decision is required).

- Approve use of £672,739 capital UKSPF Funding to support the placemaking priorities set out in Shaping Tottenham and Shaping Wood Green plans.

- Approve the use of £334,777 UKSPF revenue funding to enable a fairer and stronger and greener economy through supporting Opportunity Haringey priorities.

- Delegate authority to the Director of Placemaking and Community Development to allocate UKSPF funding accordingly.

Reasons for decision

The GLA have advised borough’s that the focus for UKSPF funding needs to be on government growth missions and the London Growth Plan. These missions align with Shaping Tottenham, Shaping Wood Green and the Opportunity Haringey strategies all of which align with the London Growth Plan.

UKSPF Revenue: The £334,777

UKSPF revenue funding will fund:

- Business and entrepreneur support

- Haringey Works employment support

- Fuel Poverty Advice service

Haringey Works:

Although the number of unemployed residents has significantly decreased since the pandemic Haringey continues to experience relatively high levels of unemployment. As of March 2025, around 6% of our population were claiming out of work benefits compared to a London average of 5.1%. In line with national and London trends we have also seen a growing number of residents who are inactive in the Labour Market and in particular for reasons of ill health including mental health. Currently around 24% of our population is inactive in the Labour Market this compares to a London average of 20%.

The previous UKSPF allocation for Haringey supported an impactful programme of engagement and support for residents with some of the most challenging employment barriers, to help them either find jobs or progress on a pathway to employment. The recommendation is for UKSPF funds to continue to fund Haringey Works employment advisors, as well as wrap around support for residents finding employment such as tackling digital exclusion and help fund training and child-care support as required.

Business Support:

Haringey's businesses create tens of thousands of jobs and other business opportunities for local people. We are home to more than 12,000 businesses, 92% of which are micro businesses employing fewer than ten people. Residents and businesses tell us they would like to see more support for young people to start their own businesses; more business-to-business networking opportunities; and a more co-ordinated approach to working with the council. Previous UKSPF allocations have provided funding for a range of targeted business support programmes meeting gaps in provision both locally and regionally at a critical time for businesses in borough these included support for the creative sector support/entrepreneur support/business growth programmes targeting high growth businesses/cost savings and sustainability support and support for Migrants and refugee entrepreneurs. The recommendation is to continue to provide targeted business support through UK SPF.

Fuel Poverty:

Haringey has 14,983 households (13.3%) living in fuel poverty, the 3rd highest percentage in London. Last year fuel poverty support was oversubscribed, and as of December 2024, with the previous UKSPF allocation we assisted 833 residents with 224 having Energy Doctor visits, saving on average £245 per household per a year in their energy bills. From April 2025, energy bills will rise by an average £111 a year, or about £9.25 a month. This increases bills for households using the typical amount of gas and electricity by 6.4%, from £1,738 to £1,849 a year. The recommendation is to continue to use UKSPF to deliver this much needed support in Haringey.

UKSPF Capital:

The £672,739 UKSPF Capital will be used to support the placemaking priorities set out in Shaping Tottenham and Shaping Wood Green. These strategies were developed through extensive engagement with residents stakeholders and businesses and this helped shape the priorities. Given the Council’s financial position, it is essential that where possible external grant funding is used to support and progress projects ready for delivery. The recommendation is to allocate UKSPF Capital funding to support projects in line with these plans

Alternative options considered:

To not accept the grant. This was discounted as the funding provides funding for key activities supporting the Corporate Delivery Plan and in the case of Capital replaces council borrowing.