Action Mental Health

Glad to report that my proposal on the Finance Committee today to contact the Finance Minister and find out what funds are being set aside to support organisations impacted by the Local Growth Fund was accepted.

Cliff edge on UK Gov Funding under Local Growth Fund This morning I met with the Prime Minister, the RT Hon Keir Starmer. We discussed a range of issues but I also raised the serious issue of the ending of the UK funding and the limitations of the replacement funding, the Local Growth Fund. I personally handed this letter to him, on the back of our discussion, re-emphasising the issues I raised, asking him to personally intervene and create stability and funding to allow for further discussions. There are many excellent organisations currently supported by the funding, coming to an end on 31st March, including the excellent We Are Stepping Stones NI in Lisburn. The removal of this funding will have a profound, negative impact. The Northern Ireland budget is significant over allocation for next year, limiting any options. After many, many months of negotiations with Treasury, time is running out. I appealed to the Prime Minister to intervene and support this critical work.

𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 - 𝐏𝐌 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 I’ve written to the Prime Minister following his comments on direct spending in NI. The current 70:30 capital-to-revenue split doesn't work for NI. Our charities need staff and resources, not just new buildings.

The Chair of the NI Affairs Committee understands the problem. The proposed 70/30 capital–revenue split in the Local Growth Fund is unworkable. The real question is: when will the penny drop with the Secretary of State? Time is almost up.

The UK Government’s proposed 70/30 capital to revenue funding split for the Local Growth Plan is unworkable, not just in Northern Ireland but across the UK. Many initiatives look set to lose out on vital funding for staff which cannot be funded by capital spend.