Communities in Charge

The government has promised to create a Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) after Brexit, to replace EU funds for economic development.

We know how badly this money is needed in places which often feel forgotten. But there’s a danger that funds will follow spending patterns which benefit prosperous areas and be managed by unaccountable business networks which aren’t always responsive to communities’ needs. That's where the Communities in Charge campaign comes in.

Why are the campaign asks?

The campaign is calling for:

• Resources to be made available to the people and places which need it most
• Local people to scrutinise all spending decisions through a dramatic increase in accountability, including citizen panels
• At least a quarter of the Shared Prosperity Fund to go directly to local people to invest in their own priorities for the economy

What will happen if we don't act?

Analysis published in the report Communities in Charge report finds:

• Seven UK nations/regions are at risk of losing out on public funding if government continues on its default setting for economic development spending
• Wales could miss out on over £2.3bn over six years, and the South West risks losing over £1bn
• London and the South East are the biggest potential winners if default spending patterns are followed, in line for an extra £1.9bn and £1.2bn in public expenditure respectively between 2021 and 2027

Who is in the Communities in Charge coalition?

The campaign is made up of a coalition of core organisations and community leaders including Co-operatives UK, Locality and Plunkett Foundation - supported by Power to Change.