UKSPF funding delivers wide-ranging benefits across Shropshire
Image from Hospital Direct illustrating how they used their funds.
Businesses have expanded, people have gained new skills, and community facilities have been improved across Shropshire following another year of investment through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Since 2022, UKSPF has supported projects aimed at growing the local economy and strengthening communities. In 2025, Shropshire received £1.43 million in capital funding and £2.89 million in revenue funding for 2025/26, allowing a wide range of projects to continue for another year.
Results from the extension year have built on the progress achieved between 2022 and 2025.
Supporting Shropshire businesses and jobs
In the extension period a further 61 businesses received grants, with 371 receiving other business support. Around 25 jobs were created, and 10 new businesses were established. Dozens of businesses also introduced new products, services, technology or ways of working.
Investment in communities and skills
Local communities also benefited, with around 1.5 million square metres of green and blue space created or improved and around 11km of paths and cycleways developed or enhanced. The programme also funded 688 local events and activities, supporting 659 existing volunteering opportunities while helping to create a further 374 new ways for people to become involved.
The programme also supported people to improve their employment prospects. 432 people gained a qualification or completed a course, 259 received help to find work and 221 moved into education or training.
UKSPF Funding in action
Hospital Direct in Clun received £10,000 towards a mezzanine floor, allowing the company to expand, create a new sales office and introduce training courses. The investment has also supported two new roles.
Phillip Gutteridge, Managing Director of Hospital Direct said:
“We’re proud to be growing a specialist business here in Shropshire. This support has helped us take an important step forward, giving us more scope to develop what we do, invest in skills and create opportunities locally.
“For a specialist company like ours, that puts us in a stronger position to develop our expertise and the services we provide to the healthcare sector.”
Looking ahead to future funding for Shropshire
While the recent Budget did not set out a specific allocation of further growth funding for Shropshire, further decisions on government spending are expected through the 2027 Spending Review.
Gary Spence, Strategic External Funding Lead in the economy, funding and skills team said:
“What stands out is the variety of things local communities, businesses and organisations have been able to achieve with the funding they’ve received. We want to continue to build on that progress.
“We now await further information on future funding opportunities and will be looking closely at what these could mean for Shropshire.”
Cllr Alex Wagner, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Economic Growth, said:
“Shropshire has businesses and communities with good ideas and the determination to make them happen. Funding allows those ideas to become practical projects that can make a significant difference. We will continue to make the case for Shropshire as further opportunities emerge.”
