Research and analysis

Southend-on-Sea UKSPF evaluation: interim findings

Updated 3 December 2025

Applies to England

Executive summary: Southend 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 Southend-on-Sea (Southend, from here after), based on research conducted between October and December 2024. It outlines the progress made to date and presents interim evaluation findings.

Key process evaluation findings

Intervention design

• UKSPF funding was announced at short notice, placing pressure on Southend City Council (SCC) to mobilise resources and deliver promptly. Whilst SCC officers suggest that the Local Investment Plan priorities adequately address the needs of the local population more time for local planning would have enabled closer collaborations with stakeholders.
• The timing of the People and Skills priority did not dovetail with Community Renewal Fund services, consequently there was discontinuity of service and a loss of expertise.
• SCC welcomed the allocation of local funding through a formula, rather than a bidding process.

Portfolio implementation

• Interest for UKSPF funding exceeded available resources and supplier engagement activities resulted in quality applications from the target audience.
• Overall, delivery providers felt the application guidance and the support workshops were helpful and the selection process worked well, enabling the SCC team to apply a fair scoring system and provide robust justifications for each decision.
• Feedback from SCC staff suggests that successful bidders demonstrated strong local need. Funding applications included evidence of residents’ needs, successful past delivery of similar interventions, and expressions of interest from residents for new support services.

Intervention delivery

• UKSPF funding has supported 9 projects in 2023/24 and 13 projects in 2024/25, All projects were outsourced to external organisations, except for three delivered directly by SCC.
• Effective delivery was supported by teams with the skills required to meet project objectives, alignment between intervention goals and the organisation’s core mission, support from the UKSPF lead at SCC, and strong connections to the wider Southend community.
• Smooth delivery was hindered by delays caused by recruitment challenges, planning difficulties due to the short-term nature of the funding cycle, and challenges associated with supporting individuals with complex needs who struggle to consistently engage with the support programme and/or require one-to-one support.

Data collection and monitoring

• Consultees found UKSPF monitoring requirements balanced and manageable. However, SCC officers noted that internal funds were needed to cover full administrative costs, as UKSPF allocations were insufficient.
• One delivery provider highlighted the difficulty tracking progress when the link between funding and outcome is indirect and/or when attribution to the funding is not fully clear.

Programme oversight

• Southend’s UKSPF portfolio was managed by a Project Manager who was responsible for maintaining oversight of all funded projects to ensure successful delivery. Prior to UKSPF, SCC had delivered other externally funded programmes (e.g., ERDF, Local Growth Fund, Community Renewal Fund). The Council applied successful practices and lessons learnt from these to UKSPF delivery.

Progress to date: expenditure, outputs and outcomes

Southend received £1.3 million for core UKSPF funding to cover a three-year delivery period from 2022/25. Communities and Place has received the largest investment totalling £610k (47%), followed by Supporting Local Businesses (£348,000, 27%) and People and Skills (£327,000, 25%). Around £1.1 million has gone into revenue projects, representing 83% of the total funding.

Communities and Place

Findings from the monitoring data analysis suggests that UKSPF funding has helped to create 763 new volunteering roles in the first two years of delivery, with further 462 new roles expected to be created in year three. To promote volunteering in the local community, delivery organisations have conducted 94 online and in-person events to build connections with local organisations and raise awareness of the available opportunities. The data indicates that 56% of all volunteering roles created in the first two years of UKSPF delivery have been filled by Southend residents, resulting in increased services provision to vulnerable people in need of support. Qualitative feedback from interviewed delivery providers suggests that all volunteers received onboarding and training, positively contributing to their personal growth.

Supporting Local Businesses

Findings from the monitoring data analysis suggests that 238 businesses and 45 entrepreneurs in Southend have received non-financial business support in the first two years of UKSPF delivery, with further benefits expected in Year 3. In addition, 30 capital grants have been allocated to pre-start businesses and those trading less than 18 months to support their business growth.

Evidence from the monitoring data suggests that, within the first two years of delivery, the business support offer in Southend has contributed to the creation of 14 new jobs and the safeguarding of 30 existing jobs, as well as the creation of 8 new start-ups. The evaluation also recorded individual case study examples and testimonials showing that UKSPF has supported businesses to engage in new markets and expand their customer base.

People and Skills

People and Skills project only provided data for target, rather than achieved outputs because these projects were only funded in Year 3. Early findings from the delivery provider interviews and impact case studies suggest that UKSPF funding has helped individuals to build confidence, gain valuable qualifications and basic skills, and enhance their work experience. The final evaluation will include additional evidence from our primary data collection activities with a larger pool of beneficiaries.

Early impact findings

Early evidence suggests that the volunteer run services have supported broader wellbeing benefits to the community in Southend. Volunteers have provided service users with practical assistance, emotional support, and guidance on how to access further support. Similarly, UKSPF funded employment support projects have contributed positively to resident’s wellbeing. However, this evidence is limited to feedback provided by delivery providers and individual case studies and is therefore based on a small sample of beneficiaries.

Early findings from case study examples and the interim consultations with delivery providers suggest that the business support offer has helped business growth and resilience. The primary data collection activities in phase two will help us assess whether these positive impacts apply to all supported businesses.

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