As part of our ongoing #NICantWait Campaign last week NICVA CEO Celine McStravick gave evidence to the NI Affairs Committee at Westminster alongside David Babington, CEO, Action Mental Health and Dr Martin Mc Mullan, CEO, Youth Action NI, urging the need for immediate clarity and action by UK Government on the future of the Local Growth Fund in Northern Ireland.
During this special evidence session held by the Committee they discussed with the Chair and its MP members the future of the Local Growth Fund and what the continued uncertainty regarding the fund means for Northern Ireland’s voluntary and community sector and those it serves.
During their briefing, they outlined the critical role the voluntary and community sector (VCS) plays in tackling economic inactivity and supporting those furthest from the labour market.
With over 24,000 beneficiaries supported between 2023–2025 alone, through UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) programmes, they emphasised the sector’s reach and impact was clear—but at continued risk.
They warned that without urgent intervention, services face collapse by March 2026, jeopardising hundreds of sector jobs and vital support for thousands of vulnerable individuals, for who no suitable alternative services are available. They stressed that decisions must be made now to avoid irreversible damage.
They also challenged the proposed 70% capital / 30% revenue funding split for the fund, arguing it is wholly misaligned with Northern Ireland’s needs, does not reflect current investment and threatens the very sustainability of person-centred, VCS led programmes —services that are deeply embedded in communities and tailored to local realities.
NICVA’s #NICantWait campaign is calling on the UK Government to:
- Confirm a bespoke delivery model for Northern Ireland, placing the voluntary and community sector at its core.
- Urgently reconsider the proposed 70% capital / 30% revenue funding split, which does not reflect Northern Ireland’s needs or the proven effectiveness of current programmes.
- Agree urgent bridging arrangements from April 2026 to March 2027, to avoid a funding cliff edge and enable adequate planning.
- Commit to genuine co-design with the sector, ensuring transparency and providing clarity on funding levels and timelines.
They thanked the Chair and members of the Committee for the valuable opportunity to highlight the urgency of the situation and the importance of securing a sustainable, locally tailored funding model that reflects the unique needs of Northern Ireland.
The Committee was asked for its support in pressing the UK Government for swift action, raising parliamentary questions to further profile the issue at Westminster, and to help ensure the voices of those delivering and benefiting from these programmes are heard.
A copy of the full briefing provided to the Committee is attached.
You can currently watch the evidence session in full here Parliamentlive.tv - Northern Ireland Affairs Committee
You can read more about NICVAs #NICantWait campaign here: https://www.nicva.org/article/nicvas-nicantwait-campaign-a-future-worth-funding.
