Shared Prosperity Fund

The Cheshire West and Chester UKSPF Investment Plan sets out the priorities for People and Skills. For the Transition Year (2025-26) there will be a focus on:

• Providing support for economically inactive adults
• Providing support for NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people

Project activity in 2025-2026

With the Transition Year to be only one year (until 31 March 2026) and with a reduced level of funding (50% less than in the previous year), we have decided that the People and Skills strategic theme should concentrate efforts on supporting economically inactive adults and NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young people. This focus will enable valuable preparation for the upcoming launch of the Connect to Work programme and other Get Britain Working initiatives. Officers are currently reviewing existing relevant programmes with the aim of extending some activity. Details of projects continuing into 2025-26 will be added to the site shortly.

As this is a one-year programme, we will use this funding to complement existing provision already available to residents and businesses such as skills bootcamps, employment support offers (available through Department for Work and Pensions, the Council and other partners) and local further and higher education provision.

Details on these projects can be found below.