Research and analysis

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority UKSPF evaluation: impact and value for money findings – executive summary

Updated 28 August 2026

Applies to England

Introduction

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) was launched by the UK Government in April 2022, providing £2.6 billion for local investment by March 2025, with an additional £900 million for 2025–26. Local decision-makers worked with communities and partners to deliver interventions under three investment priorities: Communities and Place, Supporting Local Businesses, and People and Skills. UKSPF empowered places to build on local strengths and needs, focusing on enhancing community pride and increasing life chances.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), covering Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield, received £38.9 million UKSPF funding across 3 priorities: Communities and Place (£14.1 million), Supporting Local Businesses (£15.7 million), and People and Skills (£8.6 million), with a further £22.5 million for 2025/26. Around thirty projects were supported, targeting local economic growth, inclusion, and sustainability.

Key impact evaluation findings

Communities and Place

Improved perception of place

Quantitative data showed improved perceptions of local amenities and events, although there were limited findings specific to place. Local evaluation reports highlighted that events funded by UKSPF had positive feedback from attendees who felt more likely to visit town centres again and viewed the events as beneficial for the area’s reputation. However, it should be noted that the majority of local evaluation reports were for events in Rotherham only.

Increased footfall

66,641 additional people were recorded in footfall data as a result of Communities and Place projects, and local evaluation reports showed high attendance at UKSPF-funded events in Rotherham and Barnsley, which likely contributed to increased footfall. Additionally, anecdotal feedback from event attendees highlighted that events made town centres feel busier and more vibrant.

Increased volunteering

UKSPF enabled the creation of 2,463 new volunteering roles and supported 560 volunteering opportunities linked to arts, cultural, heritage, and creative activities. Delivery partners reported that changes to the structure and training of volunteer roles, as a result of UKSPF, enabled more individuals to gain the confidence and skills to run activities independently. This increased the reach and effectiveness of community support.

Increased visitor numbers

UKSPF-funded arts, cultural and heritage activities contributed to 47,875 visitors to South Yorkshire. Feedback and local evaluation reports highlighted several positive examples, including the restoration of Wentworth Woodhouse and the significant crowds that attended events in Rotherham. Surveys at these events found that most respondents would be likely to attend similar events in the future, indicating a positive impact on future visitor behaviour. These surveys had a limited sample size.

Supporting Local Businesses

Business births

Case studies showed that the Launchpad project helped individuals develop viable business plans, build essential skills, and access funding for start-up costs; with many beneficiaries reporting that without Launchpad they would have struggled to start their businesses. This was reflected in the quantitative data, as 969 potential entrepreneurs were assisted to become enterprise-ready and 183 new enterprises were created as a result of support. Additionally, 1,092 enterprises received grants and 9,761 received non-financial support.

Business growth

While output and outcome data for business growth was limited, there was strong qualitative evidence from interviews and case studies. Businesses who received support through Launchpad and Low Carbon projects reported growth in size, turnover, and capabilities; and case studies highlighted how businesses used grants to invest in new equipment, and tools, which led to increased productivity and service offerings.

Jobs created and employment gained

As a result of UKSPF business projects, 430 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs were created, and 283 FTE jobs were safeguarded. However, due to limited data, it was difficult to attribute these outcomes specifically to Launchpad and Low Carbon projects. The assumption among stakeholders was that business support enabled business establishment and growth, which led to job creation; and given Launchpad and Low Carbon were delivered successfully, stakeholders expected these outcomes had been achieved.

Business sustainability improvements

The Low Carbon project provided grants and training to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) identify, fund, and implement energy efficiency improvements. Through the project, 31,257 square metres of low or zero carbon energy infrastructure was installed, and case studies provided several examples of business sustainability improvements. For example, a community church received a grant to install 36 solar panels and insulation, saving £3,000 annually on energy bills and reducing CO₂ emissions by 2.56 tonnes per year.

People and Skills

Increased skills

Through UKSPF activities, 2,961 people were supported to access basic skills courses, 2,491 people participated in education, and 2,220 people were in education or training following support. Skills gained through UKSPF projects included technical skills, such as maths and English, and soft skills related to confidence and readiness for work. Case studies highlighted the positive impact of both technical and soft skill upskilling, and beneficiaries reported increased confidence, pride, and improved mental health.

Improved employability

UKSPF activities related increased skills aimed to improve individual’s employability, and 2,350 people reported increased employability through interpersonal skills development. Moreover, 4,189 people received support to gain employment, and 580 people received support to sustain employment. Beneficiaries reported improved confidence, readiness for work, and progression into employment or more secure roles.

Jobs created and employment gained

UKSPF activities demonstrated strong quantitative evidence of employment being gained, as 2,166 people were supported to engage in job-searching, 936 people were supported to enter employment or self-employment, and 580 people received support to sustain employment. Many beneficiaries credited the projects with helping them overcome barriers and achieve employment or job progression, which they otherwise would not have.

Key economic evaluation findings

The UKSPF programme in South Yorkshire demonstrated high value for money across the 4Es framework:

• Economy – High: SYMCA’s UKSPF programme was managed economically, ensuring that the funds were used efficiently to deliver high-quality projects. The management of funds used a structured tender award process and proactive management by the external funding officers which ensured the projects delivered were of high quality.

• Efficiency – High: The projects largely met or exceeded their output targets within the allocated budget, achieved cost efficiency in delivering outputs, and successfully combined funds in some cases to enhance output achievements.

• Effectiveness – High: The projects largely met or exceeded their outcome targets within the allocated budget, achieved cost efficiency in delivering outcomes in line with other projects and successfully addressed local needs.

• Equity – High: The projects were well-targeted to the most appropriate beneficiary groups and areas, and the outcomes achieved were highly relevant to the local needs.

Key learning

The following key lessons have been identified, supporting the design and delivery of future local growth funds:

• Collaboration – Stakeholders found that UKSPF fostered closer relationships between the combined authority and the four local authorities, which they hope will last beyond this programme.

• Community connections – Organisations with close relationships to local communities were able to understand and respond to local needs and connect and refer individuals to other services. This helped maintain engagement with projects.

• Timescales – Delays in notification of funding decisions reduced the timescales available for delivery of project activity. The initial three year timeframe also acted as a barrier to developing new programmes or running more long-term projects.

• Data collection – Stakeholders would have appreciated improved guidance on what data would be required to sufficiently evidence outcomes and impact, including how best to capture evidence from beneficiaries who might not complete the paperwork or who’s outcomes would be realised after the end of the funding period.