Research and analysis

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority UKSPF evaluation: interim findings

Updated 3 December 2025

Applies to England

Executive summary: South Yorkshire Combined Authority 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 South Yorkshire Combined Authority (SYMCA), based on research conducted between September and November 2024. It outlines the progress made to date and presents interim evaluation findings.

Key process evaluation findings

Intervention design

• A collaborative approach was used to determine the priorities and interventions for UKSPF in South Yorkshire, with the 4 local authorities (Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield) reviewing the priorities and needs in their authority area, as well as jointly across the region, and selecting interventions based on their findings. Local communities were consulted on the intervention selection.

Portfolio implementation and intervention delivery

• To facilitate effective management of UKSPF each investment priority (e.g. People and Skills) is run by a local authority and delivery of the interventions is directly through local authorities or through contracted delivery partners.
• Delivery partners’ strong connections to local communities as this enabled them to respond to emerging needs and challenges.
• Delivery of the UKSPF intervention projects is perceived to be working well by stakeholders and delivery partners.

Data collection and monitoring

• The data collection and monitoring process varies across the interventions and the constituent authorities. Some of the ways data is being collected is through qualitative feedback, monitoring visits and meetings, and quantitative measures on usage and outcomes.
• The data collection and monitoring process is generally seen to be working well by stakeholders. However, concerns were raised about the ability to fully capture delivery complexities and long-term impacts of UKSPF.

Programme oversight

• Two groups, UKSPF Steering Group and the Partnership Board, were established to oversee delivery of UKSPF in South Yorkshire. These comprise of members from the four local authorities and combined authority, as well as local community stakeholders on the Partnership Board.
• The day-to-day management of UKSPF in South Yorkshire is led by a team of individuals (5 full-time equivalents) within the Combined Authority and these posts are funded by UKSPF.

Progress to date: expenditure, outputs and outcomes

The total allocation to SYMCA was £40.6 million with a further £22.6 million in match funding from other government funds (e.g. Towns Fund), local authorities and third parties.

Output data suggests strong progress in the Communities and Place intervention outputs, with targets being met for 16 out of 26 measures. One outcome target has been met for People and Skills, but these projects were only commissioned to be delivered in 2024/5. For the Supporting Local Businesses investment priority, only two of the nine outputs have met their targets, however stakeholders were very positive about the progress being made in this investment priority and further research will be conducted in the next phase of evaluation work to explore these outputs.

Programme monitoring data indicates good progress toward outcomes. Under the Communities and Place there is strong performance with over 90% of targets achieved. The Supporting Local Businesses investment priority shows mixed results, although output figures are low, four outcome targets have already been met or exceeded. Progress in the People and Skills is slower, as the interventions are being delivered later in the programme, this is expected given this timeline. Interviews with local authority stakeholders and delivery partners suggested delivery was going well and outcomes are being achieved, however there are concerns about the ability of the evaluation to fully capture outcomes within the timeframe, especially for People and Skills.

Early impact findings

More evidence is needed to fully assess UKSPF’s contribution to key impact areas, including, improved perception of facilities and events (particularly around accessibility), reductions in town centre vacancy rates, upskilling of individuals, and the creation of new jobs and businesses including increases in early-stage firms’ revenue. Early signs of impact have been observed in several areas, including:

• Increased footfall in town centres and increased visitor numbers due to local culture and heritage events and the refurbishment of cultural assets.
• Increased local volunteering, data submitted by Barnsley and Sheffield City Councils showed the creation of 52 volunteer roles, recruitment of 164 volunteers, and training of over 600 staff and volunteers.
• Increased numbers of businesses supported, including the take up of energy efficient measures and businesses introducing new products, technology and processes. Interviews and case studies highlighted some of the training and tools provided to businesses, including 54 grants awarded to help improve energy efficiency.

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