24 October 2006

NWDA and NWRA joint statement - in response to the National Strategy for future EU Structural Funds

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) welcome the announcement of the National Strategy for future EU Structural Funds and the Government's commitment to greater coherence and alignment between the Structural Funds and domestic regional policy and funding for 2007-13.

The announcement provides details on the regional allocation of EU and UK Government funding for the next 6 years and confirms that the Regional Development Agencies will be designated as Intermediate Bodies and will have day to day responsibility for managing the funds on behalf of the region.

Pernille Kousgaard, Head of European Policy at the NWDA, said:

"This new approach will allow the region to use the Northwest Regional Economic Strategy as the guiding framework for the Structural Funds and therefore make sure EU funding supports regional and sub regional priorities. This will allow us to work with our partners to give support to projects that will make the biggest difference to the region's economy.

The Government's decision to align European Structural Funding with domestic programmes in England will deliver clear benefits by integrating EU Funds into the regional policy and funding and will maximise the effectiveness of ERDF and ESF funds in the region and the UK. 

The economic performance of the English regions was included in the allocation formula, resulting in 45% of EU funding for England being allocated to the three Northern Regions. The Northwest remains the largest recipient of EU funds in England.

The Structural Funds allocation of €1164m to the Northwest will deliver visible projects and programmes based on priorities developed within the region and help tackle the regional disparities in economic performance."

Margaret Reid, North West Regional Assembly European Policy Manager, said:

"Clearly delivery will now be all important, and the region is already well ahead with its plans to secure maximum benefit from this funding.

"Our joint submission to the Government consultation stressed that funds should be distributed according to its own regional economic performance PSA target - an approach which was endorsed by the influential think tank the IPPR - which would help to reduce the output gap between ourselves and the nation's fastest growing regions.

"Structural Funds are only part of the story and other factors also influence the economic regeneration of the North West of England.  The Government can still do its bit for our region by making sure that other significant investments contained within the RES, like the first regional casino and the BBC relocation to Salford Quays, also go our way."

Notes to Editors:

• This strategic alignment, along with a range of implementation/ operational changes, will help to deliver a vital step change in the performance and impact of the Structural Funds.

• The ERDF regional programme will not be aligned and matched solely with the RDA Single Pot - other sources of public match funding will be required from local authorities, HEIs and the third sector   

• The RDAs across the UK believe that it is both appropriate and desirable for the agencies to play a more significant and direct role in the future strategic management and delivery of the Funds and are pleased to see the Government's confirmation of this in the announcement.

• The precise details of the new role will now be subject to negotiation with the Government in order to ensure that any new arrangements are fit for purpose for all parties and meet the requirements of the EC Regulations.

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For further information please contact Neil Roscoe, Senior Press Officer on 01925 400232 or mobile or neil.roscoe@nwda.co.uk 

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk  

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England"s Northwest and has 5 key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life