Debate contribution: Local Growth Fund

Debate contribution by Mr Gary Middleton on 21 October 2025.

MLA: Mr Gary Middleton
Party at the time: Democratic Unionist Party
Date: 21 October 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Local Growth Fund
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5197406

Text

I join other Members in support of our community and voluntary sector, which continues to deliver vital front-line services across Northern Ireland, often stepping in where other public services tend to fall short. Every Member will be able to point to organisations that have made a positive impact in their constituencies. It is essential that the sector feels valued. It is evident, however, that many community organisations do not feel valued. Stability and sustainability for their services, their volunteers and staff must be priorities. The uncertainty surrounding the future of funding, particularly from the local growth fund that is to replace the Shared Prosperity Fund in 2026, is deeply concerning. Having spoken to many organisations over the past 15 years as an elected representative, I see first-hand how stressful it can be for staff and volunteers but particularly for service users, who are at the forefront of the minds of staff and volunteers. On each occasion when funding is once more at risk, it causes deep distress. To that end, the UK Government must provide clarity without delay. It is unacceptable that organisations doing that essential work have been left in limbo once again. We want to see the spend that was available under EU structural funds not only restored but enhanced. That was a commitment made by the UK Government, and there is no excuse for any shortfall now. There should be a balanced approach, one that gives the Executive a meaningful role in shaping funding priorities whilst maintaining the national strategy and perspective that promotes cohesion across the United Kingdom. As my colleagues said, promises were made by the UK Government, and they must be honoured. We also call for a long-term approach through multi-annual budgeting to provide certainty and allow organisations to plan more effectively. We must also use all the structures available to us, by using our voices not only in the Chamber and in Westminster but in the East-West Council, which can be used to ensure that funding delivers real impact here in Northern Ireland. Although EU funding accounted for an important portion of the sector's income, further threat lies in the pressures on core government funding. Many organisations and groups in my constituency are familiar with the cliff edges, year in, year out, so the Executive must act on that front to protect the sector from further harm I pay tribute to all community and voluntary sector organisations in the Foyle constituency and across Northern Ireland and to the work of the all-party group on voluntary and community sector, particularly my colleague Diane Forsythe, who so ably chairs that group and has brought many people together. The people whom I meet in the community and voluntary sector do not want petty party political point-scoring: they want a Chamber that stands together on these issues. I look forward to us all working to that end and to seeing the community and voluntary sector get the funding and support that it deserves.

496 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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