Oxford residents have gained new skills, qualifications, and life-changing opportunities thanks to projects funded through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
From helping people into jobs and training to supporting new businesses and improving the city’s public spaces, the funding has boosted opportunity, community pride and economic growth across the city.
In December 2022, Oxford City Council secured £1 million in UKSPF funding as part of the government’s Levelling Up agenda. Since then, it has focused the funding on local priorities identified in the Oxford Economic Strategy and City Centre Action Plan, including tackling inequality, supporting the economy’s shift to net zero, and enhancing the experience of the city centre.
Results
Delivered in collaboration with local partners, UKSPF funding has already made a measurable difference across Oxford by helping local people build skills and confidence, supporting businesses to grow, and enhancing public spaces. Highlights include:
- over 100 residents gained qualifications,
- 84 people directly helped into employment,
- 58 people funded onto courses
UKSPF-funded projects have also provided a boost to local businesses and high streets:
- 648m2 of public realm created or improved
- 158m of new or improved cycleways or footpaths
- 14 businesses received direct support
2025/26 funding
The Council has successfully secured an additional £327,146 to fund a year-long programme of activity for 2025/26. The programme will be split into city centre, capital and economic development activity.
One of the requirements of the fund means all projects must be delivered within 12 months. Given this timeframe, the Council has predominantly extended projects already underway to maximise results. Some of the projects identified include:
- support the visitor economy by collecting and utilising better data about footfall and spending in the city centre
- explore ways the city can maximise the benefits of its successful visitor industry
- develop better wayfinding through the introduction of an app
- support people to progress towards and into employment through Enterprise Oxfordshire’s No Limits Programme
- restarting a Social Economy Business Support Programme to support start-ups and the wider social economy
- developing a city-wide skills framework to improve opportunities for local people into certain trades, including green skills.
Comment
“Whether it’s new qualifications, support for businesses, or an improved city centre, the UK Shared Prosperity Fund has brought real change to Oxford and the people who live here.
“By supporting local projects, we’ve given people the tools, confidence and support to thrive and every project has helped to make the local economy fairer.”
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Cabinet Member for Business, Culture and Inclusive Economy at Oxford City Council
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