19 December 2025
SDLP Leader Claire Hanna MP has said the UK Government’s decision to cut funding to the community sector will have devastating consequences.
She was speaking after a 64% cut through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was confirmed.
South Belfast and Mid Down MP Claire Hanna said:
“The community sector provides vital services in a wide range of areas and often steps up to cover for government failure. The news of this massive cut, days before Christmas, is deeply concerning for so many jobs and services. It is hard not to think the timing is designed to bury opposition to the news.
“The Shared Prosperity Fund was supposed to replace EU funding that did real good in communities. We warned that Brexit would result in a depletion of this funding, but this latest cut is beyond the community sector’s worst nightmare. This cut will directly affect their work with some of the neediest and most marginalised people and will stop support in getting people into fulfilling jobs.
“The SDLP will continue to push the UK Government to recognise the contribution of the community sector and fund them properly. We urge the Executive to do the same. It is wrong that these organisations and their staff are facing into the new year with uncertainty about their jobs and whether they will be able to continue helping the people who rely on them.”