Local authorities in Scotland should be consulted on how much funding they will receive under the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), MPs have said.

The Scottish Affairs Committee called for a consultation to start by the autumn, warning there was a risk that expertise and capacity could be lost due to the uncertainty.

It also called for clarity on how much funding Scotland will receive per year for the first five years of the scheme.

Scottish Affairs Committee chair, Pete Wishart, said: 'It is no secret that Scotland benefitted significantly from EU funds and led to many communities and universities to prosper.

'While we have been assured that UK replacement funds will match or exceed EU funds we are yet to see any evidence of this.

'Nor have we been able to access information on the design of the UKSPF or how locations will be selected to receive grants.

'It is bewildering that there seems to have been no formal consultation and time is fast running out before the UKSPF begins next year.'

The UKSPF is due to start next year to replace European structural and investment funds.