Shropshire faces major uncertainty over future access to national growth funds

Shropshire Council is warning that the county could face a serious inability to access national economic growth funding amid growing indications that future government investment programmes are prioritising Combined Authority areas.

Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and economic growth, Councillor Rob Wilson, is writing to all of Shropshire’s MPs to ask for them to raise the issue in Parliament.

In his letter he states,

“Shropshire has a strong record of delivering growth initiatives effectively, but it requires fair access to national funding streams to continue doing so. Your support in championing this issue on behalf of our county will be vital.”

With no clarity on how non‑devolved areas such as Shropshire will be supported, the county risks entering a funding void not seen since before the UK’s participation in European Union programmes over 30 years ago.

The situation is particularly difficult to reconcile with the Government’s stated commitment to economic growth, especially as Shropshire has been excluded from both the Local Growth Fund and the Pride in Place programme, leaving no clear successor to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Councillor Wilson said:

“UKSPF has provided vital, locally delivered support to Shropshire’s businesses, residents and communities. The prospect of losing access to future growth funds is deeply concerning for a rural county that relies on targeted investment. We urge government to set out how areas outside Combined Authorities will be supported so that Shropshire is not left behind.”

Heather Kidd, Leader of Shropshire Council, added:

“Shropshire has used every pound of UKSPF responsibly and effectively. Without a clear path to future growth funding, our communities, businesses and workforce face a cliff edge. We call on government to confirm how counties like ours will continue to access the investment we need to thrive.”

Since 2022, Shropshire has benefited significantly from the Fund – introduced by government as a substitute for European funds – receiving around £17 million in total. Over the past four years this has enabled Shropshire Council and partners to deliver a wide range of projects that have strengthened local communities, supported small businesses, stimulated the rural economy and delivered strong value for money.

Rural communities, volunteers and community facilities could also face unsustainable pressure without grant‑funded support for buildings, activities and local infrastructure.

Shropshire Council warns that without ongoing coordinated investment, inequalities may deepen and long‑term community resilience could be undermined.

Further information

Since 2022, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) has delivered substantial benefits across Shropshire, supporting projects that drive inclusive growth and strengthen local communities. To date, the programme has:

• Created 204 new jobs
• Supported 1,351 enterprises, including 237 businesses awarded grants
• Provided 610 volunteering opportunities
• Enhanced more than 951,403 m² of green and blue space
• Enabled hundreds of residents to gain vital skills, training and employment support

The fund has also played a critical role in sustaining voluntary and community organisations—an essential lifeline in a county as large, rural and dispersed as Shropshire.

However, no successor to UKSPF has yet been confirmed beyond March 2026. Without clarity on future investment, Shropshire faces the risk of losing momentum across 72 active output and outcome areas, threatening progress made over the last four years.

Potential impacts include:

• Significant reduction in services provided by the Shropshire Growth Hub, limiting business advice, grant access, events and early‑stage startup support
• Closure of high‑performing programmes such as the West Midlands Growth Programme, Small Capital Grant Scheme and Marches Energy Grant
• Loss of university‑led research and innovation support from institutions including Harper Adams and Aston
• Reduced access to essential skills, employment and training programmes—particularly affecting residents facing long travel distances, limited transport options or digital exclusion, and employers in sectors already experiencing acute workforce shortages

The UKSPF was established to replace previous European funding and is built around three core priorities: Supporting Local Business, Community and Place, and People and Skills. In 2025, Shropshire was awarded £1.43m in capital and £2.89m in revenue funding for 2025/26, helping many initiatives continue for an additional year.

For further details, visit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – Invest in Shropshire 
webpages.