UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Rural England Prosperity Fund
The UK Government has awarded Tunbridge Wells Borough Council funding through both the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) for the 2025-26 financial year. These fund allocations are a one-year extension of the original funding schemes that were delivered in 2022-25.
Tunbridge Wells was allocated the following:
- UK Shared Prosperity Fund: £327,146
- Rural England Prosperity Fund: £133,057
Both funds have been adapted to align more closely to the Government’s missions, with new themes and sub themes created to direct support under the existing priorities. These are set out below:
Priority: Communities and Place
Theme: Healthy, Safe and Inclusive Communities
- Healthy: Improve health and wellbeing
- Safe: Reduce crime and the fear of crime
- Inclusive: Bringing communities together tackling homelessness
Theme: Thriving Places
- Development of the visitor economy
- High Street and town centre improvements
Priority: Supporting Local Business
Theme: Support for Business
- Advice and support to business
- Enterprise culture and start up support
- Business sites and premises
Priority: People and Skills
Theme: Employability
- Supporting people to progress towards and into employment
- Support for young people who are at risk of being NEET
Theme: Skills
- Essential skills (including numeracy, literacy, ESOL and digital)
- Employment related skills
Rural England Prosperity Fund
The Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF) aligns with the UKSPF priorities and themes around (a) Communities and Place and (b) Supporting Local Business. REPF provides capital funding to support initiatives aimed at increasing productivity and prosperity in rural areas.
A draft programme of projects supported by both funds has been approved by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council Cabinet; details will be released when they launch.