European Structural and Investment Funds

11.8.2016

Question for written answer E-006242-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Ian Hudghton (Verts/ALE)

Local authorities in Scotland are heavily invested in developing EU-funded projects, and figures from the East of Scotland European Consortium show that the councils in this region (Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Dundee City, Falkirk, Fife, Perth & Kinross, and Stirling Councils) received upwards of GBP 84 000 000 in EU grants from 2007 to 2013.

This funding has enabled councils to support the development of key innovative projects, such as the development of renewable energy infrastructure, and to deliver key services in the areas of employability and business competitiveness.

Within these vital sectors, there are key members of staff who are employed on contracts directly related to the delivery of these projects, and there are concerns related to future support for these posts.

Furthermore, local authorities cannot develop and deliver projects until there is clarification as to when access to the European Structural and Investment Funds will be terminated.

1. Can the Commission provide clarity regarding the future of funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF), and in particular how long projects will be eligible for funding and when they must terminate?

2. Can the Commission provide assurances as to how long officers in the aforementioned posts, which are dependent on these programmes, can expect to be funded?