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ESIF - still in the dark

Paul Turner

By: Paul Turner

Futures Leader

Thursday 01 June 2017

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The main parties have published their manifestos and it's interesting to see the focus on schools, technical education and wholesale funding reviews. 

Unfortunately, there is no mention or detail on the issue of replacing ESIF. Yes, I know that manifestos are top level, headline grabbing documents, but just a few days ago even the Welsh Government was talking about more EU millions funding investment to support communities and individuals.

Why then, is there this wholesale omission of what has become one of the most important support mechanisms in the UK for those that are not just disengaged but over the horizon and out of sight?

EU funding has been used over the past two decades to better the futures of communities and individuals across the North East and North West of England as well as Northern Ireland, yet neither the Conservatives nor Labour parties mention it, or any replacement, in their manifestos. The Liberal Democrats offer only a small snippet, aiming to "protect...other EU funded schemes which increase opportunities for young people.”

We're about to enter into a period of great uncertainty both economically and educationally and it’s time we had reassurance. We need a skills base of well-educated and motivated young people to take up the reins of those who will retire. We need to engage those who are on the periphery and bring them into the line of sight of providers and employers. Most of all, we're going to need financial support to do this. 

We can’t continue to have such uncertainty, the decision needs to be made as to what will replace ESIF so that we can plan, progress and prove we can meet the challenges that are coming.

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