A portion of the government's £2.6 billion UK Shared Prosperity Fund - a 'central pillar' in the Levelling Up agenda - has found its way to Stockport. 

The ostensible aim of the fund is to 'increase life chances', 'spread opportunities', and 'provide local agencies'. 

In less obscure terms, the fund generally aims to provide money to boost towns and cities around the UK and reduce disparity between rich and poor areas (some areas received more UKSPF funding than others, for example). 

By giving this money directly to local authorities, the idea is that towns have more agency to support projects unique to their own needs, as opposed to a blanket, top-down approach from Westminster. 

Money from the UKSPF has been distributed across the UK based on a formula. Greater Manchester received around £84 million in total - around 14% of the UK's core allocation. 

In turn, Stockport received £8.1 million of this Greater Manchester money. Out of Greater Manchester's 10 local authorities, Manchester City Council received the most (£16.6m) and Bury the least (£5.3m). Stockport received the fourth most. 

In a still further subdivision: of Stockport's £8.1 million, £1.5 million is going to 27 different community groups, all of whom bid for a share of the funding in preceding months. 

£1.5m of Stockport's share has been allocated to non-government community groups and projects (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Stockport Council has yet to give more information on who these groups are, although in a recent statement it did hint at a wide range of projects:

"From a writing project for young people, to volunteering and improving green spaces, a variety of different projects will benefit, providing opportunities for everyone to get involved."

Describing the UKSPF, Michael Gove - Secretary of State for Levelling Up,

Housing & Communities - said: "It is about levelling up opportunity and prosperity and overcoming deep-seated geographical inequalities that have held us back for too long."

"In recognition of this, the UKSPF amounts to a predictable, long-term funding stream which local leaders are free to use as they see fit to unleash their unique potential. They can focus on what works best for their communities."

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