Dorset Council is to receive funding of £4.5m over the next two years from the government.

The money is coming from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which matches and succeeds EU funding, while giving local leaders greater say in how the money is spent.

The Government states that people across the country will benefit from £2.6 billion of investment that will ‘turbo-charge’ levelling up: supporting local businesses, boosting skills, reviving high streets, and improving local pride.

A new Investment Plan for Dorset, led by Dorset Council with input from a wide range of contributors, has been approved by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and will see the county benefit from £4.5m of UKSPF money.

Dorset’s Investment Plan includes funding for:

• provision of energy efficiency advice through Low Carbon Dorset
• the expansion of Healthy Homes Dorset energy efficiency scheme
• development of affordable sustainable transport, especially for younger people
• a new business support programme to support business growth and deliver business advice
• basic and more advanced skills courses to help people enter the jobs market and secure better paid employment.

The flexible approach to the Investment Plan also means Dorset Council will have the opportunity to adapt its plan to reflect new economic priorities over the period to 2025.

Cllr Tony Ferrari, Dorset Council’s portfolio holder for Economic Growth, Assets and Property, said: “This is great news for Dorset. We had concerns about the future funding of well-used and appreciated services such as Low Carbon Dorset and Healthy Homes Dorset without EU money, but the UKSPF will ensure we can continue to deliver these and much more in the future.

“The £4.5m will be focused on building pride in place, supporting high quality skills training, supporting pay, employment and productivity growth, and increasing life chances across the county. All of these are key objectives for Dorset Council over the coming years, especially as we tackle post-pandemic financial challenges and offer help to our residents.”

The council aims to launch the first elements of the Investment Plan in the New Year and will be providing more details on how businesses and individuals can access this support.