Research and analysis

Redbridge UKSPF evaluation: interim findings

Updated 3 December 2025

Applies to England

Executive summary: Redbridge interim findings

Introduction

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) provides a total of £3.5 billion of funding for local investment over 4 years (2022 to 2026), with all places in the UK receiving an allocation via a funding formula. Local decision-makers work with their local communities and partners to deliver interventions under three investment priorities: Communities and Place, Supporting Local Businesses and People and Skills.

This interim report presents the emerging findings from the place level evaluation of UKSPF in Redbridge, based on research conducted between October 2024 and April 2025. It outlines the progress made to date and presents interim evaluation findings.

Key process evaluation findings

Intervention design

• Redbridge Council integrated local insights and lessons from past successes to ensure UKSPF interventions were relevant and impactful. Workshops with service leads generated intervention ideas that addressed funding gaps and resident needs.
• In some cases, the funding was used to continue, or reproduce, existing and past successful interventions such as the restoration of Hainault Forest and the Energy Efficient Grants in the Community and Place investment priority.
• Lack of clarity around outcomes and outputs at the start strained design, with projects unable to plan effectively until definitions were finalised a year into the funding period.
• There were also challenges in understanding how pan-London initiatives in the Supporting Local Businesses strand would support borough-level activities.

Portfolio implementation

• Implementation of UKSPF benefited from a range of different procurement processes that leveraged local suppliers and internal resources, reinforcing flexibility and adaptability. Supporting Local Businesses relied on internal delivery, with standard procedures (three-quote system) for external suppliers. Communities and Place used existing contracts, frameworks, and consultant support and People and Skills focused on grant funding for non-profits.
• Local suppliers were valued for their knowledge and established relationships within the community and the use of known and trusted suppliers made it easier to judge value for money.
• The Energy Efficiency grants faced difficulty procuring a suitable supplier due to time constraints and insufficient budget. This was resolved by awarding the project to an organisation with relevant experience based in a neighbouring borough.

Intervention delivery

• The knowledge and experience of team members and suppliers were key enablers to successful delivery of interventions. Partnerships with specialised organisations, particularly in People and Skills interventions, expanded impact and reach.
• Effective community engagement, for example the working group Ilford Lane Community Hub set up with local stakeholders, led to an evolving understanding of local need. However, there is potential to enhance strategies aimed at increasing engagement with a wider range of demographic groups to improve impact.
• Time and budget constraints were reported as limiting factors in project delivery, with delays further restricting the time available to deliver some interventions.

Data collection and monitoring

• Dedicated roles within teams and at the council level were crucial for meeting Greater London Authority (GLA) data requirements and ensuring compliance. Standardised processes and proactive communication with suppliers ensured consistency in data collection.
• Delays in clarifying outcomes and outputs meant the processes were not always in place to collect the necessary data. Flexibility from the GLA in working with the data that had been collected meant requirements could be met.

Programme oversight

• Central coordination within the council was highlighted as significant, particularly for managing data and monitoring requirements.
• Inefficient communication channels and lack of clarity in pan-London provision made coordination of local and wider support challenging.
• The Council strategically aligned UKSPF projects with other funding streams and reallocated funds from underspending projects (e.g., to the Ilford Lane project) to maximise impact.

Progress to date: expenditure, outputs and outcomes

Redbridge received £2.86 million in core UKSPF funding for 2022/25. The Communities and Place priority received the most funding (54%), while Supporting Local Business received the least.

Redbridge has achieved or surpassed most of its output targets, including the amount of public realm improved, number of enterprises receiving non-financial support, and number of starts on the people and skills programme. There were mixed results for outcomes, with some targets being exceeded (e.g. jobs created, improved engagement numbers) and some not yet met (e.g. jobs safeguarded).

Early impact findings

Early impact evidence indicates progress in several areas, though further data is needed to fully assess outcomes. Notable early results include:

• Supporting Local Business: Initiatives successfully engaged enterprises (543 aided, target 515) and prepared entrepreneurs (239 aided, target 70), contributing to job creation (179 jobs, target 138) and new enterprises (65, achieving target). Further assessment is needed regarding sales, growth, and sustainability.
• People and Skills: The programme has been successful in starting and engaging 246 individuals in Keyworker Support Services. There has also been increased engagement in job searching and employment following support, as well as increased self-reported employability. Long-term impacts on employment, skills, earnings, and well-being require further research.
• Communities and Place: Initiatives enhanced community spaces and engagement, with increased visitor numbers at Hainault Forest (245,304, nearing target 250,000). MI data also indicated improved accessibility, better perceptions of facilities, increased footfall, and improved engagement numbers. The ‘Go Green’ scheme aided 75 households. Further data is needed on energy consumption, costs, and long-term community engagement sustainability.

The outcomes and impact of UKSPF in Redbridge will be explored in more depth in the final evaluation report.