While the broad direction of the new government is known, much of the detail seems yet to be worked up. It will be even more important to work in partnership across Merseyside and give out clear messages.


The Regional Development Agencies will be abolished with a White Paper in the Autumn - our NWDA is expected to cease by March 2012 but already has cuts to its (Single Pot) funding. The NWDA runs projects funded by ERDF and provides match to others from its Single Pot so the future is unclear. Business Link may well close - at least regionally. 4NW (Regional Leaders Board) has lost central government funding but intends to continue - in particular to complete the RS2010 Strategy, which will no longer have legal form. As before we will be working with ChangeUp Merseyside and Voluntary Sector North West to publicise the 2010 strategy and consultation. It is not yet clear what will happen to the Skills Funding Agency. European Funding, of course, is a seven year programme and its funding remains.

If you are interested in what the future holds, book in to the Urban Forum seminar, which we are hosting on 29th July.