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Extern calls on government to reverse the deeply flawed and unfair funding allocation model replacing the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)
Extern CEO, Leslie Ann Scott said “The UK Government’s decision to cut funding for programmes tackling economic inactivity in Northern Ireland—from £25m to just £9.2m—and to replace it with a 70/30 capital-to-revenue split is unacceptable. This model diverts vital resources away from people and into buildings, ignoring the real and complex barriers that prevent individuals from accessing work. It places those furthest from the labour market at even greater risk and undermines Northern Ireland’s long-term economic prospects.
“This decision is not only damaging—it is entirely avoidable. It can and must be reversed. We are not calling for additional funding; we are calling for a fair, evidence-based approach that invests in people and supports genuine, inclusive economic growth. Employment is a fundamental right, and individuals deserve the opportunity to sustain themselves and shape their own futures. More buildings will not achieve that—investment in people will.
“I join my colleagues in the sector and NICVA and call on the UK Government and local government to act immediately and correct this harmful decision on funding. A U-turn is not only justified; it is essential.”