THE launch of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund by the UK Conservative Government will see Conwy and Denbighshire receive £24,520,120 and £25,647,948 respectively.

The funding was announced yesterday (April 13).

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The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is in addition to other levelling up funding for Wales, including the Community Ownership Fund and the Levelling Up Fund, which has already invested £121m into Wales, and £790m for city and growth deals.

Vaughan Gething MS, minister for economy, said:"Over the next three financial years, the SPF will provide £585m to local authorities in Wales.

"This includes an allocation to Wales of £101m to deliver a UK adult numeracy programme called 'Multiply'.

"We remain concerned that this scheme risks duplicating Wales’ national curriculum and learning approaches.

"While this overall funding package compares relatively favourably to other UK nations, it does not meet the UK Government’s commitment to at least match the size of the EU structural funds Wales has previously and would have qualified for.

"Put simply, we are facing a loss of more than £1bn in un-replaced funding over the next three years.

"As a result, there will be hard decisions to make for the Welsh Government and other institutions across business, higher education and further education, and the third sector which have benefitted from EU Structural Funds previously.

"We will now work with local government partners and stakeholders to consider how best to maximise the opportunities that exist for programmes that will support our mission to create a stronger, fairer and greener Wales."

Welcoming the substantial sums for the area, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar said: “This £50m for Conwy and Denbighshire from the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund is extremely welcome.

“Wales as a whole is getting more funding per head than any other part of the UK - six times more funding per capita than in England.

“I am extremely pleased that the UK Government is investing in all parts of Wales, not just the South.

“This money will empower those who know their communities best to deliver on their priorities.

“It will boost productivity, pay, jobs and living standards, especially in those places like Conwy and Denbighshire where they are lagging, and restore a sense of community, local pride and belonging, especially in those places where they have been lost.

“There has never been more funding coming into Wales, and I am delighted that for the first time it is North Wales and Mid Wales that are benefitting most.”

Robin Millar, Aberconwy MP, added: “I am incredibly proud of Aberconwy and know that our best days lie ahead.

"I am determined to work with the UK Government to ensure that everyone from our area can reach their full potential.

“That is why I welcome the investment of £25m for the Conwy County Borough Council area, which can be used across a range of projects from supporting adults who lack basic numeracy skills, helping young people into good jobs, and regenerating our high streets.

"This UK Government money is coming directly to groups in Aberconwy who know the needs of their communities best.

“This is in addition to the £1.9m funding we've already received for community building projects and does not include the Levelling Up Funds that are available for the council to bid for projects to help deliver Our Plan for Aberconwy, worth up to £40m."

Welcoming the funding for Denbighshire, James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, added: “I welcome the promised investment for Denbighshire, which can be used across a range of projects from supporting adults who lack basic numeracy skills, helping young people into good jobs, and regenerating our high streets.

“This investment will help local residents fulfil their potential, while reducing regional inequalities that have been left untouched for too long.

“Wales has dramatically higher funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund than any other part of the UK, with funding per head in Wales more than six times higher than in England, and 14 times higher than the South East of England.”